CHARLES GRAHAM - Town centre’s loss is Robin Park’s gain

When I’ve asked them where they’ve got their information from, it’s been the answer: “it’s all over social media.”

That isn’t proof enough for any self-respecting journo so I have been firing off calls and messages to anyone I thought would be in the know, for example Nando’s. Bizarrely the restaurant chain press office doesn’t have a telephone number so you have to email requests for details.

After weeks of waiting I’ve still not even had an acknowledgment. Meanwhile I’ve tried to speak to the landowner (Nuveen) whose named contact didn’t reply and of course I also went to Wigan Council press office, chair of planning and a local councillor but none of them had a clue.

Eventually I visited the site and buttonholed one of the men in hard hats which finally proved the key. If only I’d gone there sooner instead of trying the “proper channels” we would have broken this story in the Observer weeks ago.

Anyhow after several more chats with people of increasing seniority I was finally able to confirm Wigan’s worst kept secret that indeed Nando’s - and one other yet-to-be decided - unit is to open there.

And after all that, I have mixed feelings about it.

I’m pleased that such a big name is endorsing Wigan; it will do well locally and probably help neighbouring businesses. Maybe there will be greater problems parking there due to lost spaces.

But it does sadden me that such a development could not have gone towards reviving the Galleries as a less retail-oriented venture rather than occupy an already thriving site.

Maybe there’s room for another Nando’s in Wigan if Robin Park works out, but at the moment the retail park is looking increasingly like a susbtitute town centre.