THE ROAD TO WIGAN MUSEUM!

Novel Approach From Anelays at the History Shop!

You’d suspect that George Orwell, one of the 20th Century’s most innovative and challenging authors, would have a good word or two to write about Wigan’s newest community attraction! 

The recently refurbished ‘Museum of Wigan Life’ is a resource of which the population of this industrious northern town can be justifiably proud and tells the story of Wigan, its people, its heritage and its community pride. It’s a place to experience, discover and identify the events and people that moulded modern Wigan life utilising the very latest technologies.

The £1.9 million restoration and refurbishment project, carried out by building specialists William Anelay Ltd on behalf of Wigan Leisure & Culture Trust, has transformed the Grade II listed building on the edge of the town centre into a facility which charts a vibrant heritage that dates back to Roman times.

Formerly known as the History Shop, it’s the place where George Orwell researched his famous ‘Road to Wigan Pier’ novel, which was published in 1937 and provides a fascinating snapshot of, and narrative on 1930s life in northern England.

All the more important then that this precious building’s external and internal fabric be restored under the auspices of true craftsmen. With 263 years of history behind them, York and Manchester-based William Anelay is one of the UK’s oldest known construction firms and thus proved a perfect partner for such a challenge!

“We have a strong respect for the past,” explained the firm’s MD Vernon Carter “and a solid commitment to protect it for the future and that is exactly what we have done in Wigan with the transformation of the History Shop into an outstanding museum for the whole community.”

The 52 week project, which was completed early in 2010, has involved the Anelay team carrying out external fabric repairs and substantial internal works as Site Manager Gary Wilson confirmed: “We’ve applied traditional skills across roofing, plastering and a host of other trades during the course of refurbishing this fascinating building!

“Extensive internal remodelling and refurbishment to improve access for all as well as the provision of additional shop and information facilities has resulted in a complete facelift,” added Gary who has overseen work at many of the North West’s most iconic landmarks including Lyme Hall in Cheshire and Heaton Park and Gorton Monastery in Manchester.

Designed by Alfred Waterhouse, the same architect responsible for London’s Natural History Museum, this former library, which opened in 1878, underwent comprehensive scaffolding that completely encased the building and included the provision of a temporary roof prior to works starting in earnest.

“The project has involved us taking down and rebuilding a huge chimney stone by stone, which has been challenging due to the very large steep pitch slate and lead roof.” confirmed Gary “as well as the repointing of 700 square metres of the building’s fascia.

“We sorted and reused most of the slate on the rear elevation but incorporated new slate on the front and side pitches.” he added.

A new lift was installed to the front of the museum within an enclosed staircase. Gary continued, “It was a challenge making that fit.  In the upstairs areas there is a large library room wonderfully furnished out on two levels with traditional listed bookcases, so lots of care was taken when carrying out the works.

“Interior walls benefited from traditional lime plastering followed by a very specific decoration scheme, which involved layers of paint been removed form key areas within the building to identify the original colours.

It was a difficult location in which to work next to a busy pathway and highway but that’s just par for the course” as Gary asserted: “We are used to this close level of engagement with the public and we had the client situated in-house for the entire duration of the project, which made us even more vigilant and careful.”

The process of managing the project was a satisfying one according to Gary: “Everyone worked well as a team from our own directly employed labour and specialist subcontractors through to the client and the architect.”

Pete Gascoigne, Executive Director of Libraries, Heritage and Arts for Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust which manages the building on behalf of Wigan Council, explained: “Bringing a contractor in of the calibre of William Anelay has ensured that the Museum of Wigan Life’s architectural features have been properly restored and now provide a impressive venue for the history of this area.”

Vernon Carter concluded: “We are delighted to be able to give it a new lease of life as one of a growing number of exciting heritage hubs“

The new museum opened its doors on April 9th. Could it be the perfect venue for the penning of a contemporary Orwellian sequel?