Westhoughton's Grade II listed memorial near St Bartholomew's Church marks one of the worst mining disasters in British history — the Pretoria Pit explosion of 21 December 1910, which killed 344 men and boys.
The Pretoria Pit disaster
An underground explosion at the Hulton Colliery's Bank Pit No. 3, known locally as the Pretoria Pit, tore through workings near Over Hulton on 21 December 1910. 344 men and boys died, the youngest just 13 — making it the third-worst mining disaster in British history, after the Oaks disaster of 1866 and the Senghenydd disaster of 1913. A memorial erected in 1910 near St Bartholomew's Church is now Grade II listed.
A town that started with an abbey
Westhoughton's recorded history goes back to 1240, when the area was acquired by Cockersand Abbey; the abbot's chapel on Westhoughton Common stood on the site where St Bartholomew's Church stands today. Coal mining began here as early as 1540, long before Lancashire's 19th-century boom, and the Renaissance-style Westhoughton Town Hall, designed by Bradshaw and Gass, was added in 1904.
Sweets still arrive the same way as everywhere else
Westhoughton's history is one of abbeys, coal pits and mill fires, not confectionery — so pick 'n' mix, bulk bags and trade cases for the town come by delivery, the same as the rest of Greater Manchester and the UK.
25,000+ customers, and counting
We've served over 25,000 customers UK-wide, Westhoughton and the rest of Greater Manchester included, with most orders dispatched within 1-2 business days. The range covers pick 'n' mix by the bag and tub, bulk bags from 1kg to 3kg, trade cases for events and businesses, vegan and halal-friendly sweets, retro favourites, and full chocolate ranges from the major brands.
Frequently asked questions
Do you deliver sweets to Westhoughton?
Yes — the same as the rest of the UK, with most orders dispatched in 1-2 business days.
What was the Pretoria Pit disaster?
An explosion at the Hulton Colliery's Bank Pit No. 3 on 21 December 1910 killed 344 men and boys — Britain's third-worst mining disaster. A Grade II listed memorial stands near St Bartholomew's Church.
Can I buy bulk or wholesale sweets in Westhoughton?
Yes — we deliver bulk bags, multipacks and trade cases direct to Westhoughton addresses.
Browse Pick 'n' Mix and Bulk Bags.