They are the borough’s grottiest landmarks, some of which have blotted the landscape for many years, others which get uglier by the month and a few that are set to become a whole lot better looking in 2024.
13. WIGAN 22-06-18 Exterior of the former St John the Baptist CE Junior school, Wigan Road, New Springs, Wigan - after years of being derelict, it will become a nursery.
The former St John the Baptist CE Junior school, Wigan Road, New Springs, was recently the subject of a petition from locals who are fed up of this prominent building - complete with its blue plaque to Wigan-born comedian Frank Randle - sitting there derelict and unused. Owner Simon Jones says that he has been frustrated by several ideas, including a nursery falling through, but also says he has so many other premises and businesses on a knife edge at the moment that he is having to prioritise them. Locals want the council to compel Mr Jones to carry out improvement works because the building is blighting the area Photo: MA
14. wwig-20-12-23-Stork-NWUpload.jpg
This barren landscape was once occupied by the Stork Hotel on KItt Green Lane, Marsh Green. It's so long since its demolition that a lot of younger people can't remember the pub. However, there are moves afoot to put the land to good use at last, with an application to create 15 homes - comprising 10 maisonettes and five terraced houses plus landscaping - currently going through the planning process Photo: CG
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For years it was the ABC service station, later the Star car wash. Nowadays the site on Pottery Road is used as a car park, but its old features, including an increasingly decrepit canopy, an arson-hit kiosk and collapsed fencing makes for an ugly sight, not least for anyone living in those new town houses across the canal Photo: CG
16. WIGAN - XMAS FEATURE - OLD BUILDINGS 04-10-19 Exterior of The Grand Hotel, Dorning Street, Wigan
Around the time of its centenary a few years back there were hopes that The Grand Hotel in Dorning Street, Wigan, was going to figure large in the Old Courts' ambitious arts plans for the town centre. But nothing has happened since and it is believed that complicated covenant issues continue to be partly to blame for its ongoing disuse and dereliction Photo: MA