The strength and spirit of Wigan and Leigh’s business community took centre stage at The Edge, Wigan, on Friday 7th November, as hundreds of local companies came together to celebrate success at the 2025 Wigan Business Awards.
Organised by Launch North West, with the full support of the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, this year’s event recognised outstanding achievements across 23 categories, from micro enterprises to major employers.
Fresh from winning the Marketing Impact Award at the GMCC Excellence Awards, the Launch NW team delivered another record-breaking celebration, highlighting innovation, resilience, and collaboration across the borough.
Celebrating Achievement and Community Impact
Here are all the 2025 Category Winners | Highly Commended
Micro Business of the Year – Wigan Hearing | Lowton Creative Workwear & Merchandise
Family Business of the Year – Vanliners Ltd
Freelancer of the Year – Pip & Harris Family Wellbeing
Best New Business – Prestige Studios
Trade Business of the Year – Safeseal Roofing Ltd
Hospitality Business of the Year – Baldy’s Wigan | The Snug Coffee House
Leisure & Tourism Business of the Year – Supernatural Diaries Experience
Beauty, Health & Wellbeing Business of the Year – Toni Marie Yoga Ltd
Engineering & Manufacturing Business of the Year – Vanliners Ltd | Ashton Upholstery
Creative & Digital Business of the Year – Solsonafilms
IT & Tech Business of the Year – NW Computer Museum & Workshops
Professional Services Business of the Year – McGinty Demack Ltd
Small Retailer of the Year – Baldy’s Wigan | The Dogs Deli
Sustainability Champion – Hey Ho Let’s Sew
Not-for-Profit of the Year – Wigan Youth Zone
Skills Investment Excellence Award – Wigan & Leigh College
Independent Business of the Year – Varty’s Independent Funeral Directors & Monumental Masons
Employee of the Year – Diane Winstanley (Varty’s Funeral Directors & Monumental Masons)
Employer of the Year – GHE Electrical, Fire & Security Ltd | DASCO Construction Ltd
Community Impact Award – Queen’s Hall Action on Poverty (The Brick)
Customer Service Excellence Award – The Legacy Hub | Toni Marie Yoga Ltd
Lifetime Achievement Award – Pam Gilligan (Compassion in Action) | Brian & Eileen Seddon – Atherton Carnival
Wigan’s Business of the Year – DASCO Construction Ltd | Caring Connections
People’s Choice Award – Reids Rails Fashion Boutique
The People’s Choice Award, sponsored by Chamber members DASCO Construction Ltd, reached new heights with a staggering 88,742 public votes, more than triple last year’s total.
The award went to Reids Rails Fashion Boutique, with Charlotte Caulfield (The Legacy Hub) and IDS Services CIC as runners-up.
New for 2025, the Special Recognition Awards celebrated exceptional finalists who made a lasting impression on the judges.
Recipients included Mark Doveaston (MD Plumbing & Bespoke Bathrooms Ltd), Jen Williams (Body. Brain. Belief), Ellie Palmer-Cass (Epic Hope), Danny Frost (GHE Electrical, Fire & Security), Gaynor Kirrane (My Sensibility CIC), and Leon Bellis (ELB Fireplaces).
Supporting In Memory of Baby G
The evening also carried a deeper purpose, as guests rallied together In Memory of Baby G, a local cause that touched many hearts.
Through raffle entries, donations, and spontaneous generosity, more than £4,300 was raised on the night, with proceeds donated to Three Wishes Charity, the official charity of Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust.
Prizes were generously donated by Launch NW, who offered a locally curated food hamper from 2024 finalists Windy Arbour Farm, and Varty’s Funeral Directors and Monumental Masons, who gifted a one-night stay at Wrightington Hotel, Health Club and Spa, including afternoon tea, spa treatments, dinner, bed and breakfast for two people.
Nichola Howard, Co-Founder of Launch NW, organisers of the Wigan Business Awards, said:
“The Wigan Business Awards are about recognising the determination and generosity that define our business community. To see so many people give so freely, in memory of Baby G, was incredibly moving, it truly reflects the heart of Wigan and Leigh.”
Jo Howard, Co-Founder of Launch NW, added:
“Nearly 90,000 People’s Choice votes show just how connected and proud our community is. Each year the support grows stronger, and that’s what makes these awards so special.”
Acknowledgements
Launch NW extended sincere thanks to all event sponsors and partners, with particular recognition to headline sponsor Janine Rees from Vanliners for her unwavering support.
The Wigan Business Awards continue to strengthen Wigan’s position within the Greater Manchester business landscape, showcasing a local network that thrives on collaboration, compassion, and community pride.