MCNULTY’S SHOES OF LIBRARY STREET, WIGAN

McNulty’s Shoes, Library Street, Wigan

By Wigan Local History and Heritage Society for the King Street Heritage Project

A Wigan Irish success story
James McNulty came over to Wigan from County Mayo in Ireland, to escape poverty and famine around the time of the great blight, The business was first established in Scholes in 1858

James McNulty

James’s excellent shoe making skills secured a contract to make boots for the Wigan Coal & Iron Company. The business was nestled in the middle of a booming Irish community, McNulty’s original shoe shop went from strength to strength. They gave efficient, friendly service to a predominantly west of Ireland expatriate population.

The original MCNulty’s Shoes shop in Scholes

In 1900, Library Street was being built in Wigan town centre. James purchased the shop at 31 Library Street. The shop was crafted in beautifully ornate terracotta and Accrington red brick. Now having two shops within the Wigan area, James asked his son Robert (Snr) to manage the Library Street shop.

Robert McNulty Senior

James died in 1922. The businesses continued to grow in both Scholes and Library Street. Around the 1950’s Scholes was redeveloped, so the shop there had to go. When Robert (Snr) died in 1954, the management of the business passed to his two sons Robert and Patrick.

Robert and Patrick McNulty

The business in Library Street expanded into number 29. In the early 1970’s the shop was modernised having an external and internal refurbishment. Within this era the business sold the famous ‘Royal’ a classic hardwearing brogue which proved popular with young people as a great school shoe (remember the metal segs in the heels).

McNulty’s Shoes on Library Street, Wigan

When Wigan Casino was becoming a Northern Soul mecca, McNulty’s sold the ‘Casino Diamond’ shoe, which became very popular with Northern Soul enthusiasts. In the late sixties McNulty’s were also the first in Wigan, to market the ever-popular Doc Martens air wear, boots, and shoes, a brand that has never lost its allure, to both young and old. The business sold high class ladies shoes with matching handbags, brands such as Renate and Gina Shoes.

The business expanded having another shop in Horsemarket Street in Warrington. Robert and his wife Barbara ran this shop, whilst the Library Street shop in Wigan was managed by Patrick and Anne. Anne had a flare for design and created wonderful window displays, showcasing an array of shoes and handbags. When Robert and Barbara retired the shop in Warrington then closed. The shop reverted to its original premises at 31 Library Street having an original wooden shop frontage installed. The shop was recently used in a TV commercial, the frontage in library Street was disguised as a florists.

McNulty’s Shoes, Library Street, Wigan

Today McNulty’s have the fourth generation of the family running the business. Brothers Patrick and Shaun who are looking to keep the family name going for another one hundred years! McNulty’s Shoes sells fashionable ladies and men’s shoes. they are able to fit the wider foot. They stock a range of branded stylish comfortable fitting shoes.

A selection of McNulty shoes on display in their Library Street shop

How it is today
McNulty’s Shoes sells fashionable ladies and men’s shoes. They are able to fit the wider foot. The shop stock a range of branded stylish comfortable fitting shoes.The Management and staff would like to thank all Their loyal customers who support McNulty’s Shoes as they continue to sell stylish footwears for all occasions. You are welcome to have a shoe fitting experience by qualified footwear specialists. They would love to see you.

The side of the McNulty’s Shoes red brick building on Arcade Street
with the amazing terracotta window frames and portico

With special thanks to Marianne Foley of McNulty’s shoes

MCNULTY’S SHOES OF LIBRARY STREET, WIGAN

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