Three communities in Wigan Borough are each set to benefit from up to £20m of Pride in Place funding over the next decade, with communities deciding how it is spent to improve where they live.
Wigan Borough’s Pride in Place areas are:
- Leigh town centre (phase one)
- Platt Bridge and Spring View (phase two)
- Marsh Green and Laithwaite (phase two)
This long-term investment is designed to hand power back to communities across the UK, including here in Wigan Borough, offering residents, businesses and voluntary organisations the opportunity to transform their local area.
Over the next ten years, the funding will go towards locally shaped regeneration, improvements to community facilities and initiatives that strengthen pride, belonging and opportunity.
Led by an independent neighbourhood board in each area to ensure investment is guided by the people who know their area best, and to give local people a direct say in their community’s future, Pride in Place builds on what is already there.
That is the people, networks, community groups and everyday places that hold together and contribute to neighbourhood life. This work will help to support residents to turn community level priorities into a clear plan with practical actions.
Pride in Place is funded by UK Government.
Phase one
In 2024, Leigh was awarded Pride of Place funding and the Leigh Neighbourhood Board, which is independently chaired and supported by Wigan Council, was started. Recently, the board have agreed an outline plan following public consultation involving more than 1,500 local residents.
Early priorities for phase one include strengthening the town centre economy and tackling crime and anti‑social behaviour, alongside improvements to public spaces and expansion of cultural and events activities. The board will continue to work with residents as projects progress, making sure that the investment is shaped by local voices and community priorities.
The Neighbourhood Board launched a 'Call for projects' to identify the specific projects and activities which will be funded through the Programme. The board sought out local people and organisations with good ideas to submit their project ideas.
Phase two areas
In late 2025, two more areas were selected to receive Pride in Place funding: Marsh Green and Laithwaite, and Platt Bridge and Spring View.
You can read more about the boards, their governance, as well as viewing agendas and meeting notes for each area, by reading the Marsh Green and Laithwaite page, and Platt Bridge and Spring View page.
You can view the boundaries for each of these areas using the links below:
Neighbourhood boards
Pride in Place neighbourhood boards bring local people together to decide how funding should be used to improve their area. Led by an independent chair, they work with residents to develop a ten year vision and an initial four year investment plan that focuses on what matters most to the community.
The board includes a mix of residents, community groups, local businesses, voluntary organisations and elected representatives. Its job is to make sure everyone has a voice, encourage local involvement and guide decisions in an open and inclusive way, with clear information about what is being decided and why.
The board is expected to meet at least quarterly and to operate transparently. Boards must include the local MP, at least one ward councillor and as a minimum 51% of its members should live or work in the Pride in Place neighbourhood, with a minimum board size of eight members.
Each of the boards are now established, however, if you would still like to express an interest in getting involved in Pride in Place you can do so by completing our Pride in Place contact form (external link) and state which area you would like to be involved in.
To be considered as a board member, you must have a close connection or live in the area, so please provide this information when completing the form.
Confidentiality
Any information you supply in your expression of interest form will only be used to help with the shortlisting and selection process for the Pride in Place programme.
By completing and submitting an expression of interest form, you consent to Wigan Council processing such personal data as may be necessary for the administration of the selection processes or meeting our obligations with the grant funding associated with the Pride in Place programme.
The information you supply will not be used in any other way and will be processed in accordance with your rights under the Data Protection Act 2018.