SOUL
ISSUE NUMBER 01 SOUL is
the comprehensive guide to the revitalisation of an
iconic venue in Wigan Town Centre. The following newspaper has been produced to create a specific site analysis for a redevelopment of the Wigan Casino; the one and only place for an amazing all-nighter during the seventies!
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IMAGE COURTESY OF BBC.CO.UK
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DESIGN PROPOSAL
“The Heart of Soul” and “Keep the Faith” ,
are two of the most famous quotes related to the musical entity known as Northern Soul!
The renowned Wigan Casino was voted as the world’s greatest disco during the seventies and led to one of the most influential movements in the history of dance music. This was not just a club; but a way of life. Many of the people that attended the soul event felt as if they belonged to a community and did actually travel from venue to venue to get their fix of the dance phenomenon. The chance for many to meet up with their friends meant the all-nighter at Wigan Casino has been defined by many as the best night around. Wigan Casino’s atmosphere was primarily generated by the crowd’s yearning to dance to their favourite songs. Many of the people would jump on the first coach that departed from the bus station that took them to the next venue, and others would go to the local swimming baths to wake themselves up before proceeding with the day. I would like to redevelop the Wigan Casino on the original site, adding a contemporary aspect to the design phase, whilst also including green space (public) and accommodation. The need for accommodation on site would possibly create the complete experience, giving the majority of the people the option to stay with friends for as long as possible then retire to comfort, whether that be in individual pods or actual bedrooms created for two or more people. I would like for Wigan to, yet again, become the central hub for many Northern Soul fans, and with this, the possibility of more tourism to the city centre allowing the economy around the site to flourish.
SITE CONTEXT The chosen site is located within the Eastern Gateway of the town centre. The area contains a variety of building uses and built forms creating a distinct quarter on the fringe of the town centre. The surrounding area has an overwhelming lack of open space for pedestrians to enjoy and relax, making the town centre very commercial based. A new development project would create more interest in Wigan town centre, creating more opportunities to fill vacant or derelict premises that are prominent throughout the Eastern Gateway.
Topography
Tree Preservation Orders
Site Boundaries
The centre of Wigan is located on a hill side
Area of site
= 31,032.62 m2 approx.
There are no Tree Preservation Order’s within
with a change in height from the lowest point
Perimeter of site
= 946 m approx.
the site or the town centre boundary. Any trees
at the River Douglas (+31.7m) to the highest
North to south
= 344.2 m approx.
over which measure 7.5cm when measured
point at the All Saints Church (+43.6m).
West to east
= 191.81 m approx.
1.5m from the ground, within the conservation area are protected from being topped, lopped or felled.
Lowest and highest levels taken from CAD OS map to determine undulation of site.
Data taken from the Digimaps CAD OS map and checked through the Digimaps website.
Information retrieved from Wigan Council Websites conservation area appraisal form.
Site Geology
Over Looking Issues
Site Ecology
The site could have possible overlooking issues
There appears to be no protected species
The sites geology consists of superficial
to the west and the east. The existing retail
on site that would need conservation. The
deposits of clay, silt, sand and gravel (alluvium).
buildings adjacent to the site will look down on
surrounding sites are primarily in use as retail
The local environment was previously
the site, whilst across the river there are three
buildings and therefore the surrounding areas
dominated by rivers.
tower blocks that make up Scholes Village,
have no issues.
which will also look in to the site. The information has been gained by visiting the site and checking the surroundings.
Used Wigan Council’s website to try and find data.
Data found on the British Geological Survey website (www.bgs.ac.uk).
Noise Pollution
Tree Preservation Orders
The centre of Wigan is located on a hill side
Area of site
= 31,032.62 m2 approx.
There are no Tree Preservation Order’s within
with a change in height from the lowest point
Perimeter of site
= 946 m approx.
the site or the town centre boundary. Any trees
at the River Douglas (+31.7m) to the highest
North to south
= 344.2 m approx.
over which measure 7.5cm when measured
point at the All Saints Church (+43.6m).
West to east
= 191.81 m approx.
1.5m from the ground, within the conservation area are protected from being topped, lopped or felled.
Lowest and highest levels taken from CAD OS map to determine undulation of site.
Data taken from the Digimaps CAD OS map and checked through the Digimaps website.
Information retrieved from Wigan Council Websites conservation area appraisal form.
Site Geology
Over Looking Issues
Site Ecology
The site could have possible overlooking issues
There appears to be no protected species
The sites geology consists of superficial
to the west and the east. The existing retail
on site that would need conservation. The
deposits of clay, silt, sand and gravel (alluvium).
buildings adjacent to the site will look down on
surrounding sites are primarily in use as retail
The local environment was previously
the site, whilst across the river there are three
buildings and therefore the surrounding areas
dominated by rivers.
tower blocks that make up Scholes Village,
have no issues.
which will also look in to the site. The information has been gained by visiting the site and checking the surroundings.
Used Wigan Council’s website to try and find data.
Data found on the British Geological Survey website (www.bgs.ac.uk).
SITE LOCATION Wigan is located in an excellent position surrounded by major transport links coming from Manchester, Liverpool, Blackpool and Preston.
Wigan
England
The main train line connecting Wigan and London Euston allows commuters to move between each location in approximately two hours.
London
Motorway A Roads B Roads and Street
Preston
Lancashire Wigan
Manchester
Liverpool
Wigan Town Centre
Image Courtesy of Digimaps AutoCAD download
Scale 1: 2500
SITE HISTORY Wigan Town Centre map showing site location in comparison to the town. The map dates from between 1969 - 1996, and this map shows the Civic Centre that is still next to the site at tis present day.
Image Courtesy of Digimaps History Map
Scale 1: 10000
Wigan Town Centre map showing site location in comparison to the town. The map dates from between 1924 - 1949, and this map does not show the Civic Centre, but stil shows the layout of the site with a road running through the centre with entertainment buildings
Image Courtesy of Digimaps History Map
either side.
Scale 1: 1250
Wigan Town Centre map showing site location in comparison to the town. The map dates from between 1944 - 1969, and this map does not show the Civic Centre. The building labelled ‘Hall’, was the previous site location for the Casino Club building just adjacent from the Ritz Cinema.
Image Courtesy of Digimaps History Map
Scale 1: 2500
Wigan Town Centre map showing site location in comparison to the town. The map dates from between 1848 - 1908, and this map does not clearly resemble
Image Courtesy of Digimaps History Map
the town layout in the 1950’s.
Scale 1: 500
SITE PHOTOGRAPHS
The photographs on this page were taken by the author. The images imitate the walk around the boundary of the site starting from the west and following the building south.
01 02 This photograph shows the site boundary on the west side of the site in
There is an existing pedestrian footpath that runs through the site that
relation to the vehicular access for the proposed site.
allows pedestrian access at the rear of the existing Civic Centre.
03 04 A multi-storey car park is conveniently positioned on the southern
The entrance to the multi-storey car park has it’s own access road to
side of the site allowing for easy access parking from the A49 that runs
reduce congestion from the A49.
parallel to the site on the eastern boundary.
05 06 The southern part of the site has hoarding erected to protect that part
The main road runs parallel to the site on the western boundary and
of the site as it is currently derelict with the opportunity to include this
therefore safety precautions will need to be acknowledged in the design
space in the design.
proposal.
07 08 The existing building is located right on the boundary of the site with
The existing building on the site has a variety of material looks trying to
the pavement leading straight up to the external wall.
achieve the desired aesthetic of the surrounding structures.
09 10 The existing structure has a circular car park entry ramp that spirals to
The image represents the size and materiality of the structure. This view
the roof structure. The image was taken from the opposite side of the
is looking to the west.
A49 showing the size of the structure in relation to the environment. This view is looking to the south.
11 12 The entrance to the upper level parking is accessed via Crompton Street.
The Grand Arcade currently has a deliveries only entrance but this allows
The traffic can only flow one way when entering and exiting the spiral
for another possible access road on site.
ramp.
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Scale 1:1250
13 14 The view along the existing western facades showing main pedestrian
The existing main entrance feature to the Grand Arcade shopping mall.
footpaths next to the site.
15 16 Entering the Grand Arcade to visually see the scale of the building, there
Artwork depicting the entrance scene at the Casino Club.
is memorabilia from the Wigan Casino that previously stood on this site.
17 18 Photograph taken from rooftop car park showing views from the top of
A pedestrian access/exit is located directly behind the civic centre and
the structure aswell as showing the impressive entrance feature to the
can be easily accessed from the western side of the site (Millgate).
car park.
WIGAN TOWN CENTRE Map Key
Site Boundary Commercial Properties Public and Service Buildings Mixed Use Existing Bars and Clubs River Douglas Pedestrian Access Vehicular Access River Way (A49) Bus Station Railway Station
Image Courtesy of Digimaps AutoCAD download
Posts used to restrict traffic
Scale 1:1250
WIGAN TOWN CENTRE Site Location
Site Boundary Listed Buildings Townscape Merit (not listed) River Douglas Conservation Area City Centre Boundary Vehicle Right of Way
01
Upper Car Park (Customers)
02
Deliveries Access
03
Main Pedestrian Access
04
Secondary Pedestrian Access
05
Multi-storey Car Park (Entrance)
06
Multi-storey Car Park (Exit)
Image Courtesy of Digimaps AutoCAD download
Scale 1:1250
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