Work to begin on transforming Wigan Pier site into "multi-events space"

Work to transform the site of Wigan Pier into a "multi event space" is set to begin this year, the BBC reports.

Plans approved by the council and developer Step Places, will transform the former coal loading jetty on into a multi-use venue — containing a food hall, micro-brewery, gin distillery and more; with two floors of "flexible space" intended to be used for "weddings, conferences and cultural events."

Wigan Pier became a focal point of the Northern house and techno scene in the 1990s as well as the spiritual home of genres such as bounce and scouse house in the early 2000s, before its closure in 2011.

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The club was torn down in 2014, with local authorities intending to regenerate the entire pier area — a stretch along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal made famous by George Orwell's 1937 book Road To Wigan Pier.

Following years of delays, including by the COVID pandemic and a lack of funds, Wigan Council and Step Places are now reported to be close to an agreement, with the developers hoping to start work "as soon as February."

The new space would contain four "piers"; with Pier 1 being a ground floor food hall and tap-room style pub, Piers 2 and 3 being multi-use event spaces, and Pier 4 as a "pop-up event space."

Wigan Council's director for growth and economy Aidan Thatcher, said in a statement: “We’re committed to delivering this exciting project and are looking forward to seeing so much of the hard work that has been going on coming to fruition."

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“The Pier is an important and iconic part of our local heritage, synonymous with our borough and renowned far and wide and we’re really looking forward to its next chapter.”

Since the club's closure, Wigan locals and fans of the venue have been taking to the Facebook page Wigan Pier Memories to post their stories, you can check them out here.

Megan Townsend is Mixmag's Deputy Editor, follow her on Twitter