Final Call: Wigan Business Awards 2026 Entries Close Monday 29 June

Entries for the Wigan Business Awards 2026 close at midnight on Monday 29 June 2026.

With just two weeks to go, businesses, teams and individuals across Wigan Borough are being encouraged to complete their entries and submit them before the deadline.

Nominations for this year’s awards have now closed, but entries are still open.

That means whether you received a nomination or not, you can still enter the Wigan Business Awards directly.

Entries are still open

Every year, we hear from businesses who think they can only enter if somebody else has nominated them.

That is not the case.

Nominations are a brilliant way for customers, colleagues and the wider community to recognise local businesses, but they are not the only route into the awards.

If you are proud of what your business has achieved, you can still complete an entry and put yourself forward.

Whether you are a freelancer, small retailer, family business, employer, hospitality venue, trades business, charity, community organisation, professional service or larger company, your story could belong in these awards.

Why entering matters

The Wigan Business Awards celebrate the businesses and people making a positive impact across Wigan, Leigh and the wider borough.

The awards are independently judged and recognise achievement, growth, innovation, resilience, customer care, community contribution and sector excellence.

Every completed entry gives the judges the chance to understand your business, your progress and the difference you have made.

Nichola Howard, organiser of the Wigan Business Awards, said:

“We always say don’t leave it until the last minute, but we know people do. Business owners are busy, and sometimes writing an award entry is the thing that gets pushed to the bottom of the list.

“But this is your chance to pause, look back at the last year and give the judges a clear picture of your business, the people behind it and the impact you have made.

“Whether you have received a nomination or not, you can still enter. The important thing is completing the entry so the judges can read your story.”

What should you include in your entry?

A strong award entry does not need to be full of jargon. It needs to be clear, honest and backed up with examples.

When completing your entry, think about:

what your business does

who you support or serve

what makes you different

what you have achieved over the last year

any challenges you have overcome

how you have supported your customers, team or community

any growth, milestones, feedback, awards or recognition

the impact you have made in Wigan Borough

You do not need to have the biggest business or the loudest story. You just need to help the judges understand why your work matters.

Nichola added:

“Nobody knows your journey better than you do. You know the challenges you have overcome, the customers you have supported, the team you have built and the difference you have made.

“Don’t assume your story is too small, too ordinary or that someone else is more deserving. The judges can only recognise the businesses, teams and individuals that complete an entry.”