News - The Big Tidy Up - Wigan's businesses are leading the way

Wigan’s businesses are cleaning up…literally!

Or rather they will be on Wednesday April 15 when staff from a host of town centre firms will be grabbing the brooms and litter-bags in a bid to the borough a nicer place to do business.

The move is part of the Wigan Council and Tidy Britain-backed Tidy Business Awards, which have captured the imagination of many of the town centre’s traders.

The scheme was launched last September and so far 16 businesses have signed up.

As part of the scheme a Tidy Business Zone has been set up around Hallgate, Jaxons Court and the Wigan Parish Church gardens. The zone will be getting a clean-up on Wednesday.

Tidy Business advocate and Wigan restaurateur Howard Gallimore says:

“We have already enhanced the appearance of Hallgate with hanging baskets and other features to make it more attractive to shoppers. Hallgate and Jaxons Court are unique because they are full of independent shops. In these difficult times we need people to support us and buy local. The Tidy Business Awards have helped us as traders by bringing businesses together and we are keen to continue the relationship with the council to improve the area further.”

Staffs from the businesses involved have given up valuable time to be involved in the tidy up which will help clean the area and contribute towards the national Tidy Britain campaign. 

Wigan Council Environmental Education trainee Ellen Belshaw says:

“Our town centre businesses are backing Wigan and we’re backing them!

“A number are already really involved with the Tidy Business Programme and are helping to improve the environmental quality of the town centre.

“We want this scheme to grow and be taken up not just by other areas of the town centre but by town centres across the borough.”

• Groups or business interested in the campaign or who want to take part in the national Tidy Up can register at www.thebigtidyup.org