Working Life

In 1246 King Henry III granted Wigan's first charter giving the town permission to hold markets and control trade. Most local people worked in agriculture or trades like pottery, tanning, metalworking, wool and linen. The charter gave Wigan a commercial advantage. By the 1700s, the area was famous for producing exquisite clocks, watches, crossbows, bells and pewterware.

The Industrial Revolution transformed Wigan. Located by the River Douglas on the Lancashire Coalfield, Wigan coal fuelled the new mills and factories of nineteenth century Industrial Britain. The area became known as 'Coalopolis', famous for the trouser wearing 'Pit Brow Lasses' and high quality canal coal. By 1863, 48 collieries employed 90,000 people. Canals and railways gave access to raw materials and world markets.

At least 30 mills operated in the Borough employing thousands of women, men and children in textile production. Engineers and manufacturers such as Walker Brothers and Wigan Coal & Iron Company sprung up to service this industry.