The eight-acre complex featured a combination of enclosed malls, walkways and open squares and accounted for almost a quarter of the town centre's footprint.

[6] Constructed in 1898, it is a traditional glazed shopping arcade faced in terracotta and was the site of one of the first Marks and Spencer's penny bazaars which opened in 1900.

[4] In October 2015, Colony Capital purchased the entire complex, including the Makinson Arcade, as part of a portfolio transaction,[8] and commissioned the Ellandi retail group to manage the centre.

[9] Due to "years of stagnation and decline", Wigan Council brought the complex back under public ownership in March 2018.

[12] Following the opening of the Grand Arcade shopping centre in 2007, located less than 100 yards away, several retailers from The Galleries, such as Boots and River Island, relocated.

[12] In 2014 outline planning approval was granted for a £60 million redevelopment of the area into the 'Makinson Quarter' including the creation of a new shopping mall of 26 larger retail spaces.

The Council initially intended to retain the site but also produce a long-term plan to revitalise it with new leisure, food and drink facilities, and residential developments.