‘Shards of glass’ hanging down from empty Wigan borough pub on to street below

Pictures posted on social media showed the dilapidated state of the old Railway pub in Atherton, with “huge shards of glass hanging down, just above the pavement where people walk.”

It was further claimed that “glass is falling from the window onto the pavement below,” with one person adding: “Me and my children walked on the other side on the way home, but walking to school I only noticed it as I literally got underneath it and stood on the glass.”

New photos taken at the scene show all the classic signs of neglect, with unchecked vegetation sprouting forth from the upper storey of the Victorian-era structure.

One person claimed: “The pub is leaning into the road as well, that place will fall down one day. I've been inside six months ago and it defo needs coming down ASAP.”

Last year Wigan Today carried pictures taken inside the building by a so-called “urban explorer”. This showed graffiti daubed walls and trashed rooms, with everything that could possibly be of any value stripped away.

But over the intervening period nothing appears to have been done to improve matters – if anything, the condition of the former pub has deteriorated even further.

People commented on the most recent photos to say what a shame it was the building had been allowed to get into this state, with one claiming it was “going to fall down if not knocked down.”

Another said: “Such a lovely building and was a brilliant pub back in the day – such a shame where it is as probably wouldn't do well as a pub again because of where it is situated but would have made nice apartments.”

While another commented: “It's such a lovely old building.. It's a shame no one can keep the outside as it is & make nice apartments there.”

On an earlier post about the condition of the building, Councillor Stuart Gerrard said “enforcement have written to the owners to make it secure and safe.”

Wigan Council have been approached for comment.