Wigan Business Awards People’s Choice is back - and it’s anyone’s game
Have your say on who wins the popularity prize at this year’s Wigan Business Awards.
Voting is now open for one of the most fun, competitive and widely shared parts of the Wigan Business Awards.
The People’s Choice Award, sponsored for the third year by DASCO Construction, is the only award on the night decided entirely by the public.
All 116 finalists across this year’s 23 categories are automatically entered, putting businesses, charities, community organisations and independents of every size into the same public vote.
For organisers Launch North West, that buzz is exactly what People’s Choice was designed to create.
Jo Leigh Creative Director of Launch North West, said:
“People’s Choice is supposed to be fun.
“It gets ridiculously competitive. Businesses really get behind it and we love seeing how creative people become when they start campaigning for votes.
“But the visibility it creates for the awards, our finalists and the wider Wigan business community is off the charts.
“For a couple of weeks, we’ve got businesses and organisations right across the borough talking about the Wigan Business Awards to their own audiences. They’re sharing, tagging, celebrating being finalists and bringing thousands of people into the campaign with them.
“We could never create that level of reach by simply talking about the awards ourselves.”
And the numbers show just how much the competition has grown.
In 2024, 28,790 votes were cast, with Bill Varty of Varty's Funeral Directors in Ince taking home the People’s Choice title.
A year later, the competition stepped up another gear. 88,742 votes were cast in 2025, with Reid's Rails in Golborne eventually taking the trophy.
Jo added:
“Bill’s campaign in 2024 was brilliant to watch, then Reid’s Rails came along the following year and we saw the whole thing grow again.
“The winners obviously get their moment, but what happens around the vote is just as valuable.
“Every finalist that gets involved is putting their business in front of people, reminding customers why they support them and celebrating what they’ve achieved by reaching the finals.
“There’s a bit of healthy competition, plenty of winding each other up and a massive amount of local support. That’s what makes it such a good part of the awards.”
People can vote throughout the campaign, meaning finalists have plenty of opportunity to build momentum and keep their supporters involved.
Voting closes at 10pm on Friday October 23.
The winner will be announced at the Wigan Business Awards ceremony at The Edge.
Vote in the Wigan Business Awards People’s Choice Award: