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Wigan Pier’s award winning heritage
attraction The Way We Were will close its doors to the public for the
final time today, Thursday 20th December.
The famous site has been visited by over ten million people since it was
officially opened in 1986. The attraction offered young and old the
chance to experience 19th Century life; from the coal face to the
Victorian schoolroom.
The Way We Were has won countless tourism and education awards and was
also one of the first visitor attractions in the country to bring
heritage to life through live theatrical interpretations by the Wigan
Pier Theatre Company.
The theatre company will continue to operate to provide acting
opportunities for young and old through its twelve satellite theatre
groups. The Way We Were’s celebrated education service will also
continue to offer learning opportunities across the borough as part of
Wigan Heritage Services.
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust Chief Executive Rodney Hill said: “The
Way We Were has been a real treasure for this borough and it is a sad
day to see it close its doors for the final time. I would like to thank
all of the staff, volunteers and visitors who have played their part in
making this such a revered and innovative attraction for over twenty
years.
“I know many people treasure their memories of The Way We Were but we
now have to look forward to the future with determination and
enthusiasm. The Way We Were has created a great legacy for Wigan Pier to
build on. I am confident we can enhance that excellent reputation
through the new arts and heritage learning centre and other heritage
initiatives.”
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust, who manage The Way We Were, is
currently working in partnership with Wigan Council to finalise plans
for a new arts and heritage learning centre at Wigan Pier Quarter with
the Trencherfield Mill Engine at its heart.
The world famous engine will remain open to the public on Sundays and
during the week by advance appointment throughout the regeneration of
the Wigan Pier Quarter.
A project team is currently finalising plans for the new £4 million plus
facility which will include the world famous Trencherfield Mill Engine
as its heritage centrepiece. Plans for the new centre also include a
large gallery space, workshops, artists studios and a studio size
theatre.
The building that houses The Way We Were will be handed back to Wigan
Council in the spring when it has been fully decommissioned. To follow
the developments at Wigan Pier or to enquire about visiting the
Trencherfield Mill Engine visit
www.wiganpier.net or call 01942 323666.
-ends-
NOTES TO EDITORS: For further information on this press release please
contact Chris Dunbar, Media and Public Relations Manager, on 01942
486937 or at
c.dunbar@wlct.org
Photographs: The Trencherfield Mill Engine, which will remain open.
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust: Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust is a
charitable trust working on behalf of Wigan Council to manage and
support leisure and cultural facilities, initiatives and events for over
300,000 residents in the Wigan Borough. See
www.wlct.org
Getting Wigan Active: Getting Wigan Active is Wigan Leisure and Culture
Trust’s vision to help people across the Wigan Borough to become more
physically, mentally and creatively active. It also aims to increase
community activity and to encourage good citizenship.
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The Trencherfield Mill Engine, which
will remain open
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