Wigan has been an important town throughout history. It was granted market charters in 1246 and was the centre of the Banastre Rebellion in the next century. In the English Civil War it was the site of the Battle of Wigan Lane in 1651. Wigan expanded during the Industrial Revolution through its coal mining, engineering and textile industries and with the opening of the Leeds–Liverpool Canal and the arrival of the railway. The social conditions which resulted from this rapid change were written about by George Orwell in The Road to Wigan Pier. The town is also noted for its entertainers and actors George Formby, Ian McKellen and Roy Kinnear. As well as its Rugby League Club, the Wigan Warriors, there is Wigan Athletic Football Club which won the FA Cup in 2012.

A–Z of Wigan reveals the history behind Wigan, its streets and buildings, businesses and the people connected with the town. Alongside the famous historical connections are unusual characters, tucked-away places and unique events that are less well-known. Readers will discover tales of an opera singer who captivated Hitler and spied for Britain, all-night dancing at the home of Northern Soul and a fatal Zeppelin raid among many other fascinating facts in this A–Z tour of Wigan’s past. Fully illustrated, it will appeal to all those with an interest in this historic town.