Feature of Wigan's original Market Hall takes pride of place at Fettlers

Feature of Wigan's original Market Hall takes pride of place at Fettlers

A striking piece of Wigan's market heritage has found a new home at Fettlers, ensuring the town's history continues to be celebrated for generations to come.

The original entrance canopy from Wigan's historic Market Hall has been installed at Fettlers as work on the former Galleries site continues to gather pace. For decades, the canopy welcomed generations of shoppers and visitors to Wigan's markets. It has now been carefully dismantled, restored and sensitively reworked, or fettled, ready for its next chapter inside the new market hall.

Councillor Dane Anderton, cabinet portfolio holder for economic development and regeneration said: “This is a special moment for us and for Wigan.

“We’re honouring the town’s proud market heritage while creating something that is looking to the future, as part of a wider transformation to help our town centre thrive.

“Rather than being lost, the structure has been given a new lease of life, becoming a focal point of a venue inspired by the town's industrial heritage and the skilled craftspeople, or "fettlers", who helped shape Wigan.

“To be able to take such an iconic piece of Wigan’s past, carefully restore it, and give it a new life at the heart of this space is incredibly exciting.

“It’s wonderful to see this piece of Wigan’s market history provide the backdrop for the experiences and memories we’ll create here for years to come. In a first for this much-loved structure, the canopy will now sit inside the building rather than outside, taking pride of place above Fettlers' new performance stage.

“As a dramatic centrepiece within the venue, it will provide a fitting backdrop for live music, events and entertainment while serving as a visible link between Wigan's proud market past and its exciting future.”

The canopy's installation has been a collaborative effort involving Wigan Council, the Wigan Building Preservation Trust, Cityheart and Galliford Try, who have worked together to carefully preserve and repurpose this important piece of local history.

The Wigan Building Preservation Trust played a key role in identifying the canopy's heritage significance and supporting efforts to secure its future. Peter Fleetwood, Wigan Building Preservation Trust, said: "We've been working closely with Wigan Council, Cityheart and Galliford Try to find the right future home for the canopy, so we were delighted when the market hall at Fettlers was identified as its new location.

“This historic structure dates back to Wigan's 1870 Market Hall, and it's fantastic to see it being carefully preserved and given a new purpose at the heart of this exciting development.

“By bringing it into the building and making it a focal point for visitors, we've ensured that an important piece of Wigan's heritage can continue to be appreciated for generations to come."

Darren Jones, senior development director, Cityheart said: “The historic Market Hall canopy is a remarkable piece of Wigan’s heritage and it’s great to see it become a unique focal point for the new venue.

“We have worked closely with our partners to ensure this important part of local history was carefully restored, incorporated into the development and given a prominent new role at the heart of Fettlers.”