VENUEWATCH: A location for Wigan

We have a soft spot for Wigan - we got married there, apart from anything else - and we can't think of any good reason why the town should find itself without a decent-sized venue.

Okay, we can - there's probably the assumption that the area is already served by Salford, Manchester and Liverpool venues, but that isn't good enough.

The council had been planning to build a new concert hall, but the costs were starting to rise - so they decided not to bother. Presumably the cash is being better spent on paperclips or something.

The Wigan Evening Post is leading a campaign to make the council think again, signing up Ken Dodd, Johnny Vegas and Dave Spikey to add their support. It's possible that they may even find some Wiganites to stand alongside the Scouser, St Helensite and Boltonian. But that's kind of the point - without a performing arts location in the town, the supply of famous Wigan musicians and entertainers might wane somewhat. Let's hope Starsailor join in the campaign before its too late.

music wigan