10 Years of The Old Courts: A Decade of Culture and Creativity in Wigan.

The Old Courts in Wigan has been a beacon of creativity, culture, and community for the past 10 years, housed in the former County Court in Wigan town centre. Transforming a historic building into a thriving arts and entertainment hub, it has enriched the town’s cultural fabric and brought people together through a range of innovative activities and events. Its journey reflects a commitment to showcasing local talent, supporting artists, and fostering a sense of connection across the community.

Cultural Touring and Memorable Performances

A major highlight of the past 10 years has been The Old Courts’ role as lead partner of the Cultural Touring Network (CTN), bringing high-quality touring shows to Wigan. In 2022, the venue hosted Bunker of Zion, a vibrant and joyful performance blending Zimbabwean music and dance with stories of Wigan culture, demonstrating its ability to bring diverse experiences to local audiences.

Since The Old Courts was founded in 2014 as a not-for-profit organisation (meaning every penny is reinvested into the arts, community and Wigan), they have hosted some incredible artists in The Grand Vault, Theatre and local area.

Local rising stars such as The Lathums, Lottery Winners and Stanleys have performed there, alongside renowned acts like The Sugar Hill Gang, Wheatus, Sir Ian McKellen, Shaun Ryder, Roachford, Badly Drawn Boy, and John Cooper Clarke. By raising Wigan’s profile as a touring destination, The Old Courts has played a vital role in enhancing the town’s reputation in the arts world.

Supporting Local Creatives and Businesses

The cultural hub is also home to many creatives including, Tallula Vintage, Static Records, Northern Heart Films, Everyday, Gifts Beyond Words, Darko Design, Curious Minds, Ground Up Digital and most recently, The Brick charity opened a brand-new retro and vintage charity shop. In addition, various freelancers hot desk in the spaces.

Resilience in Challenging Times

During the pandemic, The Old Courts demonstrated resilience and adaptability by launching a pop-up pantomime. This initiative brought much-needed joy during a challenging time, offering a safe and entertaining escape for families. Despite restrictions, the pantomime captured the festive spirit and underscored the venue’s dedication to uplifting the community even in adversity.

In 2023 they discovered catastrophic structural damage in their venue which was later found to have been caused by construction work carried out by a third party. Since then their music venue, The Grand Vault and the Theatre have been closed awaiting repair work. As they await news on the legal proceedings to enable them to begin repairs, their activities continue through the Bailiff Bar & the Victorian Courtroom.

A Space for Everyone

Every week, visitors are treated to a variety of live entertainment in the Bailiff Bar including Open Mic Poetry, Unlocked: Original Music Showcase, Improv, Not So Silent Movie, as well as networking opportunities and personal development workshops for musicians, artists and producers. The Victorian Courtroom also continues to play host to weddings, parties, markets and conferences with its character charm wowing visitors.