Wigan business awards

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Wigan Business Award Categories

At Wigan Business Awards we have created 24 award categories to celebrate excellence across Wigan’s diverse business community. From passionate sole traders to thriving corporations, we’ve curated a selection that ensures there’s something for everyone in Wigan’s bustling business community.

Whether you’re entering yourself or shining a light on another deserving business, our range of award categories offers a unique opportunity to showcase excellence, innovation, and impact. You can enter a maximum of 3 categories, plus Employee of the Year, and each entry will need its own application.

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Wigan’s Business of the Year Award

This award celebrates established businesses trading over 5 years with 10 staff or more. Wigan’s Business of the year demonstrates exceptional performance, continued growth, and a positive impact on the people within the business and the wider Wigan community.

Wigan’s Businesswoman of the Year Award

Celebrating a founder, director or senior leader who has made an outstanding contribution to Wigan through business success, leadership and positive impact, inspiring others through her achievements

Micro Business of the Year Award

Celebrating the spirit of small and mighty enterprises. This award honours businesses that, despite their size, display resilience, passion, and a strong commitment to community, going above and beyond for their people. For businesses with 2-9 employees.

Family Business of the Year award

This award celebrates family-run businesses based in Wigan that demonstrate a harmonious blend of business success and familial commitment. Strong performance, collaboration, positive community impact and at least two family members at the core of all operations.

Best New Business Award

This award acknowledges promising newcomers trading less than 3 years. Recognising new businesses that demonstrate promise, innovative practices and early success with a clear plan for future growth.

Freelancer of the Year Award

Highlighting individual excellence, this award recognises freelancers who showcase grit and determination to walk their own path with remarkable achievements, innovation, and unwavering dedication to their craft or profession.

Hospitality Business of the Year Award

Celebrating hospitality businesses delivering exceptional experiences, showing resilience in a challenging climate through outstanding service, customer satisfaction, innovation and operational excellence.

Leisure and Culture Business of the Year

Recognising leisure and culture businesses or individuals delivering standout experiences, attractions or facilities, with a clear commitment to excellence, creativity and customer satisfaction.

Beauty, Health & Wellbeing Business of the Year Award

Honouring businesses dedicated to promoting beauty services and health and wellbeing. This award recognises service providers that enhance the well-being of individuals and the community while making a positive impact on their customers’ mental health.

Engineering, Manufacturing & Trade Business of the Year Award

Recognising businesses across manufacturing, engineering and trade that demonstrate quality, reliability and skill, alongside innovation, efficiency and a positive contribution to Wigan’s economy.

Creative & Digital Business of the Year Award

Celebrating businesses that use creativity to deliver standout digital design, content, and marketing. Recognising original thinking, measurable results and effective execution across digital channels and customer experience.

IT & Tech Business of the Year Award

Celebrating businesses delivering impactful technology, software, systems, infrastructure or cybersecurity, showing innovation, reliability and measurable results that improve how other organisations operate.

Professional Services Business of the Year Award

Recognising professional services businesses that combine expertise and integrity with outstanding performance, delivering clear value for clients through excellent service, strong relationships and consistently high standards.

Small Retailer of the Year Award

Recognising small retailers that deliver exceptional customer experiences, show creativity and resilience in a challenging climate, and make a meaningful contribution to their local community.

Sustainability Champion Award

This award recognises businesses that demonstrate an exemplary commitment to environmental sustainability and social responsibility. It celebrates those who lead the way in eco-friendly practices creating positive impacts for the planet and their communities for a more sustainable future.

Not For Profit of The Year Award

Recognising not for profit organisations, charities and community groups improving lives in Wigan through clear outcomes, strong outcomes, strong stewardship and sustained community benefit.

Skills Investment Excellence Award

This award celebrates businesses that invest in developing their own workforce through training, apprenticeships and upskilling, strengthening retention, progression and the future skills pipeline.

Independent Business of the Year Award

This award honours independently operated businesses that demonstrate excellence in customer service, product quality, and community engagement. Showcasing the unique contributions of independent businesses to the local area and how they are enhancing the vibrancy of Wigan’s local economy.

Employee of the Year Award

This award recognises an outstanding individual in your team who goes above and beyond in their role. Whether through dedication, or exceptional service or just good old-fashioned graft, they make a significant impact on your organisation and inspire those around them.

Employer of the Year Award

Recognising employers that prioritise employee wellbeing and development, building positive workplace cultures through strong leadership. Celebrating businesses that support progression, retain talent and help people and performance thrive.

Community Impact Award

Celebrating grassroots groups and small organisations making a measurable difference in Wigan borough through local action, community connection and visible outcomes. Typically volunteer-led or run by small staff teams.

Customer Service Excellence Award

This award celebrates businesses that consistently provide outstanding customer service, going above and beyond to meet and exceed customer expectations and have the testimonials to prove it.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Honouring individuals with 25+ years of leadership and dedication who have created a lasting legacy in Wigan through sustained contribution and long-term community impact.

People's Choice Award

The People’s Choice Award is special because it is determined by the public. All finalists compete for victory through votes from customers, friends, and colleagues, making it a true reflection of community support.

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