Historical timeline

Five decades worth of landmarks, milestones and key dates

Marking the 50th Anniversary of Wigan Borough is the perfect opportunity to reflect on the events and developments that have formed part of our shared cultural history.

This timeline may jog your memory or help you learn something new about the communities that we’re proud to call home.

1974

Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council is created. Our first mayor was Councillor Robert Matthew Lyons, who stood for Ashton-in-Makerfield.

1975

The newly founded Wigan Borough Archives service finds a permanent home at Leigh Town Hall.

1976

The first conservation areas are drawn up for Haigh and Standish. In Standish this includes St Wilfrid’s Church which dates back to the 1580s and is Wigan Borough’s only Grade I listed building.

1977

Howe Bridge Sports Centre, Atherton was opened by the Duchess of Gloucester.

1978

Three Sisters, Ashton-in-Makerfield opens and the first kart race was held in November. The area was formerly spoil heaps from Garswood Colliery.

1979

Ten men were tragically killed and one seriously injured in an explosions at Golborne Colliery.

1981

Wigan Casino- the spiritual home of Northern Soul closes.

1983

Wigan Council buys Low Bank Ground, an outdoor education centre in the Lake District.

Wigan Hospice formally opens at the former vicarage in Poolstock. It originally had just five beds.

An archaeological dig on The Wiend revealed Victorian, Georgian and Roman Pottery.

1984

Towns across the borough are part of the Miners’ Strike.

1986

Queen Elizabeth II opened Wigan Pier and visits “The Way We Were” exhibition space.

1987

Queen Street railway arches, Wigan, are restored and transformed into business space.

1988

Wigan Borough officially twinned with Angers in France.

1992

Wigan & Leigh college formerly founded after the merging of Wigan College of Technology with Leigh College.

Bickershaw and Parsonage Collieries close in Leigh on 13^th March 1992. They were the last coal mines in the area.

1994

Shevington Parish Council celebrated its centenary.

1998

Wigan-born band The Verve perform their iconic concert at Haigh Hall.

1999

JJB Stadium (now DW) opened.

2001

Peter Kane Square was opened in Golborne. It was named after boxer Peter Kane, who became the world flyweight champion in 1938 aged 20.

2005

The ruins of a Roman bathhouse was discovered in Wigan.

2008

Leigh Sports Village officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II.

2009

Low Hall, Platt Bridge was announced as the latest nature reserve in the borough.

2012

Heather Fredriksen, from Leigh, wins Gold in the 100m backstroke at the 2012 London Paralympic Games.

2013

Wigan Athletic win the FA Cup with a famous 1-0 victory over a star-studded Manchester City at Wembley.

2014

Elton John performs at Leigh Sports Village.

2015

Sir Ian McKellen awarded a Believe Star.

2020

Keely Hodgkinson from Atherton breaks record to win silver at Tokyo Olympics.

2022

Wigan and Leigh Flashes were awarded National Nature Reserve Status.

2023

Leigh Leopards won their first Challenge Cup title in 52 years against Hull and KR at Wembley.

2024

Wigan Warriors become World Cup Champions for the fifth time.