Historically a part of Lancashire; during the Industrial Revolution Wigan experienced dramatic economic expansion and a rapid rise in the population.

[4] The first coal mine was established at Wigan in 1450 and at its peak there were 1,000 pit shafts within 5 miles (8 km) of the town centre.

This was due to a dearth of fast-flowing streams and rivers in the area, but by 1818 there were eight cotton mills in the Wallgate part of Wigan.

Trencherfield Mill was built alongside the canal in 1907, for William Woods & Sons Ltd.[6] The industry peaked in 1912 when it produced 8 billion yards of cloth.

The independent mills were struggling, and the Bank of England set up the Lancashire Cotton Corporation in 1929 to attempt to rationalise and save the industry.

[8] The engine was visited by Queen Elizabeth II in March 1986 as part of the official opening ceremony for the "Way We Were" heritage complex at Wigan Pier.

[9] The semi-derelict Grade II listed building was renovated between 2005 and 2007 as a key part of the Wigan Pier regeneration project, co-ordinated by Simon Kensdale.

This project drew on a combination of European Regional Development Fund, Single Regeneration Budget and Heritage Lottery monies and it resulted in a number of sites in the Pier Quarter being restored to use.

[10] Trencherfield Mill itself became a mixed development comprising commercial, retail, and leisure space and 52 one and two-bedroom apartments.

[11] Wigan Council ultimately decided against establishing an arts centre – which would have included the town's first public theatre – within the Mill complex.

[13] The prestigious British drama school ALRA North, the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts, operated in the mill from 2012 until its closure in 2022.