Mesnes Park, Wigan

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any grants available for companies looking to relocate to Wigan?
Unfortunately, there is no funding available through Wigan Council to companies looking to relocate to Wigan at the present, but keep your eye on this website, where we will announce any funding, which becomes available. Eligible companies may be able to apply to the North West Development Agency for Selective Finance for Investment in England. Please visit www.nwda.co.uk for further information.
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I am thinking of relocating my business to Wigan. What support is available to me?
The Inward Investment Team offers a comprehensive service to both existing local businesses and major new companies looking to invest in Wigan. This includes sites and premises information; company visits and liaison; signposting for training & recruitment and links with other Council departments. For further information about assistance that may be available to you, please contact the Inward Investment Team on 01942 828990.
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Where can I find the latest demographic statistics for Wigan?
All the statistics on the Move 2 Wigan website are current and accurate. The content of the website is regularly updated to ensure that the information it contains is as accurate as possible.
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Can Wigan Council help me to find suitable staff for my business?
Wigan Borough has a wealth of well qualified, skilled and reliable people. You are sure to be able to recruit a suitable workforce from the area. Wigan Council can work with their partners to develop bespoke recruitment packages for your organisation. They can also put you in touch with reliable recruitment agencies (please see the recruitment page for more details).

If you are in the retail sector they can point you in the direction of the Retail Skills Shop. The Skills Shop showcases the retail sector as a career choice, providing information, advice and guidance to employed and unemployed individuals about training and employment opportunities, particularly within the Grand Arcade development.
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I want to provide training for my workforce. Can you put me in touch with a suitable training agency?
Wigan is abundant in well qualified, skilled and reliable people. Wigan Council will work with your company to assess your staffing needs and liaise with public and private sector agencies to help you recruit your workforce.
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Are all the premises on the Wigan Borough Property Finder Service owned by the Council?
No. The Council does own some of the premises included on the database but we work closely with private owners and property agents to ensure we offer a comprehensive range of premises on the system. There are no residential premises on the database.
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How can I find out what Business Rate I will be paying on a property?
Enquiries regarding Business Rates can be made by contacting:

Business Rates
Telephone: 01942 828632
Textphone (for hard of hearing)   01942 828725
Email:   businessrates@wigan.gov.uk
Internet: www.wigan.gov.uk/Services/BusinessRegeneration
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I am setting up my own business. What support can you offer?
We can help you to identify the most suitable premises for your new business. We can put you in contact with other sections of the Council you may need to discuss your business with such as Planning or Community Protection. We can also put you in touch with local business support organisations that specialise in helping people to set up their own business. For further information on these business support organisations contact 01942 828990
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Why do I need to check the planning consent of a building I may want to use for my business?
It is a requirement that buildings being used for commercial purposes have the correct planning consent for the type of business located in the premises. This is to ensure that the building is used appropriately depending on its location, size and surroundings etc. There are different planning classes e.g. Planning Class A1 means that the premises can only be used as a restaurant, pub, café etc or shop for the sale of hot food or Planning Class B1 means that the premises can only be used as offices. It is the responsibility of the business to check the correct planning consent is in place even if they do not own the building.

We can provide information about the different classes and put you in contact with the relevant people in Planning for an informal discussion.
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My business is expanding and I want to build my own premises. Where can I buy land?
Wigan Council has very little land for disposal at present. We are aware that this is an issue for local companies and the new planning system that Wigan Council will be adopting will review this situation. For more information on the new planning system please visit www.wigan.gov.uk/Services/Planning/Policies/DevelopmentFramework
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How can I find out who owns a building or piece of land?
Details of ownership can be obtained through the Land Registry which is a Government Agency. The Land Registry can be contacted through the regional office in Lytham St. Annes.

Telephone: 01772 836700
Email:   www.landreg.gov.uk

There is a charge for the information.
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Where can I find a list of businesses in Wigan Borough?
A list of businesses can be found in the Wigan Borough Business Directory. A copy of the directory can be obtained by contacting 01942 828990. There is a £10 charge if the directory is posted. Otherwise it can be collected free of charge from Gateway House, Standishgate, Wigan, WN1 1AE.
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I am interested in relocating my business to Wigan. Where can I find suitable premises?
Wigan Council operates a free and independent Property Finder Service, which can help you find the most suitable premises for your needs. Using the property database and local knowledge experienced staff will assist your business to short list the premises, which most closely match your requirements. For more information on the Property Finder Service or to register with the service, please phone 01942 828991 or click on Property Finder to search the database yourself.
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What are the Top 10 companies in Wigan Borough?
Wigan Borough has over 5,000 companies ranging from small concerns up to major international players. The public sector through the local authority, health trusts and emergency services are also major employers locally. Full information on companies located within Borough can be found in the Wigan Borough Business Directory. Please contact 01942 828990 for a copy of the business directory.
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How can I get involved in Wigan Borough in Bloom?

Wigan Borough in Bloom involves the whole community.  We would like to hear from you, your group or school if you want to join in a litter pick or school if you want to join in a litter pick, clean up event or plant trees or bulbs.

In previous years, we have worked in schools across the Borough and with allotment societies and tenants' and residents' groups.  If you want to improve your local environment and help towards next "In Bloom" awards, please contact us on 01942 488299 or streetscene@wigan.gov.uk.

For more information about Wigan Borough in Bloom, please click here.

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How can my company or organisation get involved with Wigan Borough in Bloom?

There are three ways your company or organisation can get involved in Wigan Borough in Bloom:

1.  For all groups who facilitate planting or the placing of planters on their land, the Council can arrange photographs and publicity targeted at the local media and include links from the In Bloom website to their corporate site.

2.  For organisations able to make a financial contribution up to £1,000, there are additional benefits including the presentation of a plaque, a visit from a senior politician, dedicated web pages on the In Bloom site and membership of Wigan Borough in Bloom.

3.  If an organisation or company is able to donate over £1,000 towards In Bloom eco projects, there are opportunities for a full mayoral visit to the site and the chance to benefit from corporate hospitality at the JJB Stadium at a home Wigan Athletic or Wigan Warriors game, in addition to the benefits mentioned above.  Such organisations would become Gold Class Members of Wigan Borough in Bloom.

If you would like to get involved in Wigan Borough in Bloom, please contact 01942 488299 or streetscene@wigan.gov.uk.  For further information on the programme, please click here.

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Wigan Council, Gateway House, Standishgate, WN1 1AE. T: +44 (0)1942 828 990 F: +44 (0)1942 828 992