REWIND: images from Wigan Pier's once hugely popular The Way We Were museum

With little sign of progress in the re-birth of Wigan Pier’s canalside buildings, we thought we’d take you on another trip down Memory Lane to happier times there. From the mid-1980s through to the early years of the new millennium the Pier, and especially its Victorian museum The Way We Were with its cast of actors, was one of the biggest visitor attractions in the North West.

By Charles Graham

Published 24th Aug 2023, 04:55 BST

Here we revisit that museum during a tourism golden era for the town.

1. The Victorian schoolroom was a star attraction for many at The Way We Were. Even the Duke of Edinburgh once found himself reprimanded by a stern teacher

. Photo: JOHN LEATHERBARROW

2. A cast of actors helped to bring the Way We Were museum to life

. Photo: STAFF

3. Visitors to the newly opened museum

. Photo: Gary Brunskill

4. Volunteer Gordon Medlicott hands over a sponge and some carbolic soap to visitors Jessica Massey and her mum Julie in Kellett's Chemist's in The Way We Were

. Photo: Nick Fairhurst

North West Victorian