Demolition of former Wigan supermarket underway to prevent safety issues

Demolition crews have been pictured working at the old Morrisons store in Ince this week, although no firm plans are in place for future use of the land.

The building on Makerfield Way has stood empty since Morrisons moved out of town in November 2019 during a cull of its less profitable stores.

Morrisons, which had already closed its Wigan town centre store several years ago, shut the Ince outlet as part of a cost-cutting plan.

Wigan Council leader David Molyneux said at the time that the loss was a blow to the economy but voiced hope that a new use would be found for the vacant premises.

It did not take long for the site to become a target for antisocial behaviour, and earlier this year, images showed clear attempts had been made to break into the premises, with wedges driven under the metal shutters.

Several windows were shattered, and fire extinguishers were also found littered outside the premises, having been thrown from the top floor windows to the ground below, shattering a glass canopy in the process.

The incidents led some residents to express fears that the building could become “another Pagefield building,” where fire and vandal alerts regularly cause concern to residents, unnecessary work for fire crews and putting the intruders’ on safety at risk.

The demolition of the property, which is ongoing, had sparked hopes from some Wiganers that the eyesore site would be given a new lease of life.

However, the council has told the Post that there have so far been no firm proposals for the site, and that the demolition work is being carried out to prevent future safety concerns regarding the vacant building.

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