The First Believe in Business Festival took place in February 2023 and highlighted the support that is available across Greater Manchester, focusing on local businesses sharing their stories to inspire and encourage others to consider how they can grow their business in a way which benefits all. The event celebrated businesses of all different sizes and sectors from across the Wigan borough.
The event was split into two different sections.
- Believe in Business Festival - for businesses
- Believe in Business Festival High Street - for both businesses and members of the public.
The event whad a packed schedule include a combination of workshops, panels, business support from a range of partner organisations, and networking to help businesses approach growth in an inclusive, ethical, and sustainable manner. There was also access to the Artisan Market and Food Court with entertainment, where local businesses were selling their products throughout the day.
Believe in Business Festival – Next Steps
Following the success of the Believe in Business event, the Business Consortium followed it up with a first Believe in Business Festival Bite Size event in July looking at networking and how to shape future events to support as many local businesses as possible.
The Business Consortium are looking to hold a Believe in Business Festival main event once a year with up to four Bite Size events taking place across the borough throughout the year.
If you’re a business and would like to stay up to date with the latest events, you can follow us @WiganBusiness on X or Wigan Business on LinkedIn or sign up to receive our monthly e-bulletin.
The Business Consortium are always looking for new members to help support a range of programmes. If you’re a business and would like to, know more about the future plans, become a Business Consortium member, sponsor an event, and/or have premises as a potential free of charge venue for a Bite Size event, please email business@wigan.gov.uk for more details.