FAQ's

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What are Wigan Borough Business Awards?

Wigan Borough Business Awards is an annual celebration of excellence designed to recognise and honour the outstanding achievements of our local business community. This prestigious event shines a spotlight on the innovation, resilience, and success of businesses, entrepreneurs, and organisations that make Wigan Borough a vibrant place to live, work, and grow.

From thriving start-ups and established companies to community-focused CICs and social enterprises, the Awards are open to organisations of all sizes and sectors who are making a real difference.

The 2026 Awards journey includes:

Nominations close: on 10th April 2026.
Entries close: Wednesday 30 April 2026
Judging interviews: Week commencing 6th July 2026 (for shortlisted entrants, who will be notified at least two weeks prior to interviews taking place)
Awards night: Saturday 26 September 2026 – an unforgettable evening of celebration, networking, and entertainment, plus our much-anticipated after party.

Whether you’re entering, sponsoring, attending, or cheering from the sidelines, the Wigan Borough Business Awards is your chance to celebrate the best of our borough’s business talent.

Who can participate in Wigan Borough Business Awards?

The awards are open to businesses of all sizes and industries based in Wigan and surrounding areas. Whether you’re a startup, a well-established company, or an entrepreneur making waves, we welcome your participation and encourage you to showcase your achievements.

Eligibility Criteria:

To be eligible for entry into the Wigan Borough Business
Awards 2025, businesses must meet at least one of the following criteria:

Be located within Wigan Borough.
Provide goods or services to Wigan Borough businesses or residents.
Employ a significant number of local residents.
Demonstrate a strong commitment to the borough, such as supporting local charities,
sponsoring community organisations, or actively contributing to the local
economy.

Entries will be assessed based on their impact and involvement within Wigan Borough, ensuring that the awards truly celebrate
those who help make our business community thrive.

How can I submit a recognition?

Recognitions for the Hall of Recognition can be submitted through our website at any time. Simply fill in the form to acknowledge a business, individual, or organisation making a meaningful contribution to Wigan Borough’s business community.

Recognitions are a standalone way to say thank you and well done – the person or business being recognised will be notified, and you can choose whether or not to provide your name when submitting a recognition.

Please note the for the Apprentice of the Year and Outstanding Contribution of the Year you will be asked to fill in a full entry form at the time of placing a recognition.

What is the difference between a Recognition and an Awards Entry?

A Recognition is a way to acknowledge a business, individual, or organisation for the positive impact they’re making in Wigan Borough. It is a standalone acknowledgement – recipients are featured in the Hall of Recognition and can share a digital recognition graphic, but it does not automatically enter them into the awards.

An Awards Entry, on the other hand, is a full submission for one of the Wigan Borough Business Awards categories. Entries are assessed by our judging panel and compete for an award.

Recognitions give visibility, celebrate achievement, and offer the option to take the next step and enter the awards, but there is no obligation to do so.

Why are some nominations linked directly to an entry?

For individual-focused categories like Apprentice of the Year and Outstanding Contribution, nominations submitted via the Hall of Recognition are automatically linked to an awards entry.

This ensures the person being recognised:

Is formally considered for the award
Receives full Hall of Recognition visibility on the WBBA website and social channels
Gets a digital recognition graphic to celebrate their contribution

This streamlined approach avoids confusion and ensures no one is overlooked.

Who can be nominated in these categories?

Apprentice of the Year: Apprentices employed by a business in Wigan Borough (or employed within the last 12 months).
Outstanding Contribution: Individuals making a meaningful impact in a business, organisation, or the wider Wigan Borough business community. within the last 12 months. This could include employees, founders, leaders, mentors, or community champions.

What award categories are available?

We offer a diverse range of award categories covering various aspects of business excellence, including Micro, Small, and Medium to Large Business of The Year, Apprentice of The Year, Charity/CIC of The Year and more. Check our official website for the latest list of categories and their descriptions closer to the time.

What is the cost to enter or attend?

It’s completely free to enter the Wigan Borough Business Awards – there are no nomination or application fees, and no other associated costs for entering.

Attendance at the Awards evening is optional. If you’d like to join us for the celebration, tickets will be available to purchase once finalists are announced. For guidance, tickets for the 2026 Awards are priced at £80 per person (including a three-course meal, entertainment, and the ceremony).

How are the winners determined?

An independent panel of judges, comprised of experts in different industries, carefully evaluates all applications. They assess the merit of each entry based on specific criteria outlined for each award category. The judging process is transparent and unbiased.

Once the application for entries closes on 30th April 2026, all applications will be passed over to our independent panel of judges to review and compile a shortlist of companies/entrants to progress to the next stage. Once this review is completed we will be in touch with all applicants to confirm the outcome of their application and advise on next steps if they are through to shortlist. If shortlisted, you will be expected to attend a face to face interview with judges, which will take place week commencing 6th July 2026. You will be notified at least two weeks prior to your interview. If you are unable to attend in person, you will be given an opportunity to join the interview online or provide a video which can be reviewed by judges during your allocated time slot. If you are unable to attend your interview, or provide a video, then the judges will revert back to the scores given against your application form.

All entrants are welcome to request feedback on their application at any stage of the process. Please email info@wiganboroughbusinessawards.co.uk to submit your feedback request.

Can I attend the Wigan Borough Business Awards evening?

Absolutely! We encourage all nominees, supporters, and members of the community to attend the awards ceremony. It’s a fantastic opportunity to network, celebrate success, and be inspired by the achievements of local businesses.

Attendance at Wigan Borough Business Awards is not mandatory for finalists. However, we warmly encourage all finalists to join us in celebrating their achievements at the awards evening. Tickets for the event are available at a cost of £80 per person. While attendance does not impact the outcome of the awards, it provides an excellent opportunity to network, celebrate success, and be part of Wigan’s premier business event.

How can my business benefit from participating in the Wigan Borough Business Awards?

Beyond the prestige of winning, participation offers unparalleled networking opportunities, increased visibility within the local community, and a chance to showcase your business to a wider audience. The awards also serve as a platform for collaboration and future growth.