Wigan tourism business celebrating the North named as one of the Nation’s Favourite Businesses for 2026

England’s North, a bootstrapped Wigan company, has been named as one of the Nation’s Favourite Businesses by the Small Business Saturday campaign, as it kicks off its annual call to champion and support the nation’s favourite small businesses.

England’s North, a website which helps people to maximise their leisure time in the north of England, was founded by Caroline Addison in 2023.

Following a nationwide search, the Northern firm has been selected as part of this year’s Nation’s Favourite Business line-up, in a shake up from the campaign’s long-standing SmallBiz100.

The Nation’s Favourite Businesses campaign will showcase each business as part of the official countdown to Small Business Saturday on December 5 - a grassroots non-commercial campaign, originally founded by American Express in the US in 2010, and the principal supporter in the UK, aimed at celebrating and uplifting independent firms by encouraging the public to support and spend with small businesses.

Caroline Addison said: “As avid supporters of makers, attractions and experiences that give people so many special memories, it’s wonderful to be recognised for what we do. We hope to help many more people find places to enjoy their free time, whatever that means to them.”

Michelle Ovens CBE, Director of Small Business Saturday UK, said: “Small businesses have always been, and will continue to be, among the nation’s favourite businesses. Whether on our high streets, online or embedded in local communities, they play a vital role in the places we live and in the strength of our economy.

“This year’s Nation Favourite Businesses are a true representation of the UK’s most-loved small businesses. From independent, family run cafés and local restaurants, to makers, services and traders, they showcase the incredible diversity of the UK’s small business community. We know how important small businesses are and the challenges they face, so as we kick off this year’s Small Business Saturday campaign, we’re urging the public to get behind them during the most critical trading quarter of the year.”

Dan Edelman, General Manager, UK Merchant Services at American Express, said: “Small businesses bring energy, innovation and character to our high streets and local economies. That’s why American Express is proud to have founded Small Business Saturday and why we continue to back small businesses to help them thrive.”

To learn more about England’ North, visit: EnglandsNorth.com