Newly-renovated Leigh town hall and archives open to public

Visitors can view the Grade II listed building and the archives dating back more than 800 years, thanks to a £1.3m grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

There is also a new exhibition which celebrates the history of Leigh, Atherton and Tyldesley through the collection of the borough’s historic archives.

The new facilities, which were made possible with support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, preserve the history of the Borough’s schools, churches, hospitals, businesses, families and estates.

Council leader Cllr David Molyneux giving a speech

They include a new search room with improved access to collections, a conservation studio for repairing and digitising archives and state-of-the-art strongrooms for storing and preserving the borough’s historic records.

Members of the public will be able to use these records to trace their family histories, explore how past communities lived and learn about how our Borough has grown over centuries.

The new archives also features an education space adjacent to the Chambers where schools will participate in an exciting new programme of activity. Schools are encouraged to get in touch if they’d like to find out more.

On Friday, June 11, an early preview event took place ahead of the official opening.

This included partners and key stakeholders involved in the refurbishment of Leigh Town Hall and the new archives facilities and saw a series of short speeches followed by a guided tour of the new facilities and the building, supported by Archives volunteers.

Speeches were made by council chief executive Alison Mckenzie–Folan, leader of Wigan Council David Molyneux, Stephen Welsh, England North committee member, the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Meanwhile, schoolchildren from Leigh Central Primary School who read a poem about heritage.

Schoolchildren from Leigh Central Primary School reading a poem about heritage

Ahead of the opening, Cllr Chris Ready, cabinet member for communities and neighbourhoods, said: “I am absolutely thrilled to announce the opening of these amazing facilities to the public.

“With the new search room and state-of-the-art conservation and storage facilities, residents and non-residents alike will be able to learn all about Wigan’s heritage and culture, and even find out more about their family tree.

“I would urge all residents to book a visit and take a look at this wonderful facility and the thousands of records contained within.”