Latest news

Head to Wigan town centre this Sunday (23 November) for the Christmas light switch on with this year's special guests - East 17!

The day kicks off with Christmas markets and funfair rides on Standishgate from 11.30am, followed by the annual Santa parade, which leaves Mesnes Park at 1pm.

Santa himself will be part of the parade before heading into his Grotto at The Grand Arcade. 🎅

The main stage will be live and entertaining the crowds from 12pm before we officially switch on the town centre Christmas lights with East 17! With food and drink on Believe Square until 6.30pm, come on down to this FREE event. 

Partnership work to tackle knife crime

Efforts to address knife violence have taken a step forward this week with another knife disposal bin installed in the borough, at Slag Lane waste and recycling centre (pictured above).

This one joins those already in place in Wigan and Leigh town centres, Platt Bridge, Pemberton, Atherton and at Chanters and Kirkless recycling centres. 

Earlier this year, Wigan Council pledged to back the Let's Be Blunt campaign, a nationwide initiative to reduce knife crime through practical, everyday actions.

For example, part of the campaign encourages the replacement of sharp-ended kitchen knives with rounder ended alternatives. It was launched by teacher Leanne Lucas, a survivor of the 2024 Southport attack.

In other news...

📣 Since 2023, Wigan Council has been working hard to update our Local Plan so it reflects the needs and priorities of our communities. We’ve engaged with thousands of residents and gathered extensive feedback to shape a draft plan that supports growth while responding to local priorities. We are confident the draft Local Plan reflects these views and meets national requirements. Our original timetable included Council consideration in November, followed by statutory consultation in December and January, with submission planned for spring 2026. However, we have decided to pause this process to allow greater certainty on key infrastructure that underpins growth, in particular the proposed east-west link road, where we expect a further announcement from the Department for Transport in the coming weeks. This clarity is essential to ensure the Local Plan is robust and deliverable. While forthcoming planning reforms remain a factor, our priority is to make sure the plan is based on sound infrastructure commitments. We remain committed to submitting the plan by the statutory deadline of December 2026 and will continue to keep residents and stakeholders informed as the situation develops.

❄️ The temperature has definitely dropped this week. Our gritting crews have been out, spreading salt to keep our road network safe and moving and they're on standby throughout the winter. We can’t grit all of the roads in our borough so we focus on main roads, principal bus routes and routes for emergency service. It's forecast to be cold for a while now so take care, drive safe and if you can please check in on older and vulnerable friends, families and neighbours. Find out more about gritting on our website.

❌ With the Bird I'th Hand junction often congested and leading to slow and unreliable journey times in Hindley, works to upgrade the road infrastructure is now reaching its final stages. Preparations are underway to complete the final resurfacing works. To ensure work is completed safely and efficiently, Wigan Road will be closed between its junction with Liverpool Road and Cross Street on 30 November and 7 December, from 8am to 7pm.

🚘 Our festive season free parking offer is back! All council owned car parks in Leigh and Wigan town centres are free to use after 3pm each day. This is in addition to the free weekend parking offer that is in place all year round, providing a great opportunity to support local businesses when doing our Christmas shopping 🛍️

🚫There have been continued increased reports of suspected avian flu in wild birds across Greater Manchester, including Wigan Borough. We would remind local residents to not handle wild birds or droppings. If you find a dead wild dead bird do not touch it. You can report them to the DEFRA helpline on 03459 335577 or through their website. Any wild dead birds found on public land across the borough can be reported to 01942 404364 (01942 40404 outside office hours) for collection. Anyone who keeps birds is reminded that a housing order is in place and you should follow DEFRA and APHA advice.

What's on

...more Christmas events! 🎅

After the excitement of Light Up Leigh last weekend, and Frost Festival this weekend - there are lots more Christmas events for the whole family to enjoy! Here's some of what's happening...

🎄There are Christmas light switch-ons and events taking place in Golborne, Tyldesley, Pemberton, Atherton, Standish, Hindley and Ashton over the next couple of weeks. Check what's happening near you on the Visit Wigan website.

🛍️ Celebrate the season at Wigan Town Centre’s Christmas Artisan Markets, returning for their 10th magical year, starting this weekend! Find out more about Christmas in the borough on Visit Wigan

🥳 Ho Ho Haigh's Christmas lights switch-on with festive fun for all the family is on Sunday 23 November. With performances from Golborne Brass Band and Milltown Chorus and lights switched on by Father Christmas around 5pm. Find out more about Christmas in the borough on Visit Wigan.

✨Come along to Artisan Christmas Markets at Pennington Flash. Nestled within the heart of the National Nature Reserve, the seasonal celebration offers artisan stalls, festive food, live music (think cosy brass band), Santa's grotto and more on Saturday 29 (12pm-8pm) to Sunday 30 November (11am-4pm).

🎅 Be Well’s community link workers will be going on their annual Santa Stroll from Howe Bridge Leisure Centre on Tuesday 9 December (11am-12noon). Join the team for a gentle walk and chat, and embrace the joy of the Christmas season. Connect with others, boost your wellbeing and even tuck into a mince pie or two! All welcome. Christmas attire encouraged! Sign up via the Be Well website or the Be Well app.

Our communities

This year there were 231 award winners across the UK, of which 16 are from Greater Manchester – congratulations to all! Equivalent to an MBE, KAVS is the highest Award given to local voluntary groups in the UK, and they are awarded for life. Created in 2002, the Award has been shining a light on the fantastic work of voluntary groups from all across the UK.

Join the Celebration: Haydn’s Epic Race Across Europe on the Big Screen! 🎥🍿

Earlier this year, Wigan resident and Happy Smiles Training Co-Founder, Haydn, achieved an incredible milestone by winning Race Across Europe 2025 - an international competition for wheelchair users. 

Now it’s time to celebrate! Join Happy Smiles training for a free screening of the brand-new film that captures the epic journey of Race Across Europe 2025.

Expect an evening full of community spirit, smiles, and stories from Haydn’s remarkable journey on Wednesday 3 December, 5pm-8pm, at the Three Mills in Wigan. 

Could you take the first steps in supporting a local child? ❤️

Fostering is a rewarding and life-changing decision, and we are looking for more people to step forward and join our amazing fostering family.

This video, ‘The Run’, shows the incredible impact that foster carers can have and what their support can mean for a child in need. 

Do you want find out more about fostering? Come along to our next virtual information session on Tuesday 25 November, 6pm-7.30pm. Our fostering team will talk you through the process and our amazing foster carers will be on hand to share their experiences. 

More from communities...

🌺 If you’ve been affected by suicide, you are invited to go along to the All Ears creative wellbeing hub in Pemberton, to mark Survivors of Suicide Loss Day on Saturday 22 November. All Ears was set up in memory of Aleysha Rothwell, who died by suicide when she was 16. Her memory is honoured throughout the hub, especially through a creative mural on one of the walls. Now you are invited to remember your loved one by adding their name to a flower or design of your choice, that will be added to the mural. Book your place at the session, which is at All Ears, 432 Ormskirk Road, Pemberton, Wigan, WN5 9DF, between 1-3pm. If you’ve been bereaved by suicide, you can also find support at Wigan Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS). 

💜 If you are an unpaid carer - or have been in the last 12 months - you may have received a survey through the post from NHS England. These are being sent to a random selection of carers across the country. If you can, please fill it in and return it in the provided freepost envelope.

🏫 School applications are open! If your child was born between 1 September 2021 and 31 August 2022, they're due to start reception next September. Apply for their school places on our website. If you need any support with your application or have questions, email schoolplaces@wigan.gov.uk

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Don’t forget to reconfirm your childcare code! If you’re receiving the working parent funded childcare, you need to reconfirm your eligibility every 12 weeks to keep your code valid. It’s quick and easy to do and it ensures your child’s place stays secure. Just log into your childcare account and follow the steps. Email the team at leyep@wigan.gov.uk for support. 

Staying well this winter

Protect yourself from flu ❄️

It's been a cold one this week, and cold weather and winter conditions can worsen existing health problems, especially for people aged 65 and over, or those with heart or kidney disease, COPD, asthma or diabetes.

Free NHS vaccines are the best way to protect yourself and your family this winter. You can get the free NHS vaccine if you: 
• are aged 65 or over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2026)
• are aged 6 months to 64 years old with certain long term health conditions
• are aged 2 to 3 years old
• are pregnant
• live in a care home
• are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive a carer’s allowance
• live with someone who has a weakened immune system

Book on the NHS App, via the NHS website at the button below, call 119, or contact your GP practice or pharmacy. School-age children from reception to year 11 are offered the vaccine through school.