Pink Elephant (Wigan)

The Pink Elephant Club was in Harold Street, Aspull Village, Lancashire.

The Pink Elephant was directly opposite The Moorgate Inn, Scot Lane, Aspull Village. It had been called The Hideout, but before that it was the old Aspull Labour Club which moved to new premises in Haigh Road, Aspull Village.

When it was called The Hideout, it was alcohol free and then Wigan, Lancashire legend Bill Leyland (b. William Leyland d. 2007, Nursing Home) took it on and got a drinks license.

Leyland had an agency and had a number of groups with The L. E' Agency of 6 Cross Street, Hindley, Wigan and thus time was precious to him. Still, he made the time to go and see Wigan, Lancashire band L'Ringos (formed in Sept 1963) and was impressed by their ability to project their personalities to the audience. He thus became the band's personal manager. In November 1963 he had met the groups 21-year-old lead vocalist, guitarist Bob McKinlay (b. Robert McKinley, Wednesday, May 13, 1942, Bryan Road, Bryn, Ashton-in-Makefield near Wigan, Lancashire, England d. Sunday, January 14, 2024, Hospital).

Leyland also owned The Cricketers in Keats Avenue off Poolstock Road, Poolstock, Wigan.

There is a housing estate on that area now.  

Info courtesy John H. Warburg November 2024