THIS picture shows an aerial view of a very famous and historic part of Bolton town centre.

The photograph was taken in April 1991 from the roof of our former offices in Churchgate.

It gives us a good view of the Sandwich Inn which used to make the most amazing hot beef sandwich which they called “The Beefer” and the chip shop next door which sold fantastic chips.

There was The Gatehouse Cafe a little further along and the Boars Head public house.

There are few businesses still going strong in Churchgate but Ye Olde Pastie Shoppe is certainly one of them with the building being one of the oldest in this area.

Churchgate was the scene of the Bolton Massacre in 1644 when, during the Civil War, Prince Rupert and the Royalist Army laid siege to the town and eventually many Boltonians were killed.

A plaque to Richard Arkwright is above Booth’s Music Shop.

In 1750 Richard Arkwright carried on his trade here as a wig and peruke maker. He later moved to Nottingham.