Wigan Area

A town with a bright future

The town has changed over the years and is about to undergo further redevelopment with investment plans for the borough that include the regeneration of the Wigan Pier Quarter. Development of one of the North West’s first ‘green’ business parks at Westwood Park. The Galleries Shopping Centre is central to Wigan’s retail experience and its owners plan to redevelop the centre into a brand new quarter building on Wigan’s heritage. The area would be transformed into a high quality modern shopping centre and a landmark leisure hub. This dramatic new square will connect with the Universal Technical College, Wigan and Leigh College as well as the Wigan Youth Zone.

What can you get for your money when buying in Wigan

The overall average house price is £149,145. The majority of sales in Wigan during the last year were semi-detached properties, selling for an average price of £141,816. Terrace properties sold for an average of £102,619, with detached properties fetching an average of £265,894 *Source-Rightmove.co.uk.

What can you get for your money when renting in Wigan

Due to the good location of Wigan Borough and the associated commuter links, local businesses and public sector employers, there is a strong private rental sector. If you check the market across all property types you will see that the average rent is around £550pcm but this varies widely from around £450-£550pcm for a two bedroom terrace property and up to >£1,000pcm for a four plus bedroom detached property in a highly sought after area.

For a three bedroom property, you could expect to see market rents of around £500-£600pcm for a three bedroom terrace property and £600-£750 plus pcm for a three bedroom semi-detached property. There is a healthy supply of three and four bedroom detached properties which can range from £800-£1,000 plus pcm.

There are some apartment developments around with one, two, and three bedroom apartments available. There is a healthy demand for these and the price can vary from £400pcm for a one bedroom apartment up to £800 plus pcm for a luxury three bedroom apartment.

The most sought after properties tend to be two and three bedroom terraced or semi-detached properties which makes Wigan an ideal investment opportunity for any property investor looking to expand their property portfolio.

Getting to and from Wigan

Wigan is very close to the larger cities of Manchester and Liverpool and, as such, is an ideal location for people working in the city but who do not wish to live in the bustling city environment! There are two railway stations in Wigan – Wigan North Western and Wigan Wallgate, making it one of the best connected places in the rail network here in the Northwest. There are regular trains to all directions including Manchester, Liverpool and further afield to London and Edinburgh.

There is a significant network of local buses to all the major cities in and around Wigan e.g. to Leigh, Bolton, Preston, Manchester and national buses that run further afield.

In addition to rail and bus services, the town is in close proximity to major road links including M6, M61, M57, M58, M56, M60, M62 and the A580 East Lancashire Road.

The nearest airports are Liverpool and Manchester and these are both easily reached through the motorway network and via the train network – in fact a number of train options take you directly to Manchester Airport. Liverpool Airport is served from the station at Liverpool South Parkway and there are regular trains as well.

Interesting facts about Wigan

Home to one of the most famous and successful sports clubs in the world, Wigan Warriors Rugby League FC.
The ‘Latics’ (Wigan Athletic Football Club) FA Cup winners 2013.
Wigan Casino was a popular nightclub in the 60’s and 70’s and a primary venue for Northern Soul music. The site is now home to The Grand Arcade shopping centre with 40 high street stores.
Wigan was formally a mining town and coal mining district dating back to 1450. It is home to Haigh Hall country house and park. Also home to Wigan Pier on the Leeds Liverpool canal.
The annual World Pie Eating Championship competition has been held in Wigan since 1992.
Wigan’s most famous star was George Formby who topped the UK box office between 1936 and 1945. Playing a simple Lancashire lad, George was Britain’s highest paid entertainer.
Sir Ian McKellen, one of the finest actors of his generation, grew up in Parson’s Walk, next to Mesnes Park. Wigan’s market traders, with their sales banter, Inspired Sir Ian to go on to stage. Starred in the blockbuster film Lord of the Rings
Chart topping rock band The Verve hailed from Wigan, coming together as students at Winstanley College.

Areas Covered

WN1-Wigan, Haigh, Swinley.
WN2-Aspull, Hindley, Hindley Green, Platt Bridge, Abram, Bickershaw, Bamfurlong.
WN3- Winstanley, Goose Green, Worsley Mesnes, Ince.
WN4-Ashton In Makerfield, Garswood, Bryn.
WN5-Orrell, Newtown, Worsley Hall, Marsh Green, Kitt Green, Billinge, Pemberton.
WN6-Appley Bridge, Shevington, Standish, Standish Lower Ground, Springfield, Wrightington.
WN7-Leigh, Pennington. M46-Atherton.
WN8 0-UpHolland.
WA12-Newton Le Willows.
WA9 & WA10-St Helens.
WA11-Haydock.