The wait is over. The Wigan Business Awards 2026 finalists have been announced, and what a year it’s been already.
Nominations increased by an incredible 30% compared with 2025, while completed entries rose by 17%.
Those figures genuinely blew our minds.
[View the full list of Wigan Business Awards 2026 finalists here.]
Wigan Business Awards Nominations Rise by 30%
A 30% increase in nominations is a huge number. Even better, that interest carried through into completed applications, with entries increasing by 17%.
Behind every one of those entries sits a business, team, organisation or individual who took the time to stop, look at what they have achieved and tell us their story.
We know entering an award takes time because it needs to be done properly, and doing it properly means pulling together evidence, reflecting on successes and challenges and, for many people, stepping outside their comfort zone and saying: we’re proud of what we’ve done.
Seeing so many businesses choose to do that through the Wigan Business Awards this year is brilliant!
Nichola Howard, Co-Founder of the Wigan Business Awards, said:
“We knew nominations were coming in thick and fast, but when we looked at the final figures, we were genuinely blown away. Last year’s figures were already fantastic, so to see nominations increase by 30% and entries by 17% this year was incredible.
“We’re an independently organised local awards programme, and seeing that continued growth, alongside businesses across Wigan Borough going out of their way to support and celebrate one another, means a huge amount to us. The campaign is doing exactly what it was designed to do.”
Congratulations to Our 2026 Finalists
Reaching the final is an achievement in itself, you only have to look at the numbers.
The quality of this year’s applications gave our shortlisting team some incredibly difficult decisions to make.
Our finalists will now get the opportunity to bring their entries to life in front of the judging panels and tell us more about the businesses, teams, people and stories behind their applications.
For some, this will be their first Wigan Business Awards final.
Others are returning after previous nominations, finalist places or wins.
Whichever applies, they have earned their place.
Nichola added:
“The standard of entries this year was brilliant again. There were some very close calls. Everyone who has reached the finals should feel incredibly proud because they’ve come through a very strong field.”
Now comes the next part of the journey: the finalist interviews.
Thank You to Our 2026 Sponsors
The Wigan Business Awards would not happen without the businesses that choose to stand alongside us and support what we are building.
Our sponsors help us create a platform where local businesses, organisations and individuals can celebrate their achievements and share their stories.
Some have supported the Awards for several years.
Others first came to us as entrants, finalists or winners and have since returned as sponsors themselves.
Their support allows us to keep developing the Awards, celebrating success across Wigan Borough and creating an event our local business community can be proud of.
What Happens Next for the Wigan Business Awards Finalists?
Next up are the finalist interviews.
Then comes the hardest bit: waiting for the big night.
Or choosing what to wear.
Depending on who you ask, one of those is considerably more stressful than the other 🙂
For now, though, this is the finalists’ moment.
Congratulations to every business, organisation and individual who has reached the Wigan Business Awards 2026 finals.
Go and shout about it.
You’ve earned it.
View the full list of Wigan Business Awards 2026 finalists here
