Uncle Joe's Mint Balls make unique contribution to Wigan Pride 2026
The Mint Ball dress (in progress) with Jess and Lisa from ReDoo CIC, Scott and Craig from Wigan Pride Committee and Anita from Uncle Joe's Mintballs
Get ready to welcome Madame Mint Ball to Wigan! A new partnership with one of Wigan’s oldest companies is set to bring a refreshing new addition to this year’s Wigan Pride event.
Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls, established in 1898, and operating from the same Wigan town centre factory since 1919, are the latest local business to show their support for the annual town centre celebration, that recognises diversity and promotes inclusion.
A further collaboration, with local upcycling CIC, ReDoo, means that Wigan Pride 2026 will welcome a drag artist with a difference.
ReDoo are currently working with thousands of Uncle Joe’s Mint Ball wrappers to create a spectacular costume for a brand-new drag queen, Madame Mint Ball, who will parade through the streets of Wigan at the Wigan Council backed town centre event on Saturday 8th August, handing out free Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls to the crowds.
Uncle Joe’s are also developing a new Wigan Pride tin for their famous Mint Balls, that will be available for everyone to buy from their stall on the day.
Anita Taulty is sales and office manager at Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls. She says: “We love being part of the Wigan community and we often get asked to support local initiatives. Although we’re a well-established brand, we’re still a small family-run business, so can’t support everything financially, but we do try to offer other types of support where we can.
“We’ve been producing Mint Balls from the same Wigan factory since 1919 and we’re so thankful for our local customers.
“This partnership with Wigan Pride is our way of saying that it doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re from, if you’re part of Wigan Borough’s community, we want to say thank you for all of your support for our business over the years and this is just one way that we can do that.”
It was a chance meeting at the Believe in Business event last year that brought Lisa Burney and Jess Davies, founders of upcycling CIC, ReDoo, and Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls, together.
Lisa says: “We happened to have a stall next to Uncle Joe’s at the Believe in Business event last year and Anita was kind enough to offer us a tour of the factory. We realised we had similar values and knew then that it would be great to work together one day.
“Jess and I had both made costumes for drag artists in previous roles and we started a conversation with Wigan Pride about creating something for them this year to help promote our shared values of community and sustainability.
“Uncle Joe’s is such a strong Wigan brand, and it seemed like the perfect combination. The idea of Madame Mint Ball was born!”
The project is now underway, with Lisa and Jess working on the costume at every opportunity, although it hasn’t always been straightforward.
Jess adds: “The wrappers have been a nightmare material to work with if we’re honest, we’ve tried stapling and stitching but we’re now using good old duct tape!
“We’re so excited about this project and can’t wait to see Madame Mint Ball on the day and help bring the community together on August 8th!”
Wigan Pride Committee member, Craig Bourne, will have the honour of becoming Madame Mint Ball on the day, and will wear the upcycled Uncle Joe’s costume for the parade that always kickstarts the annual event before working the crowd throughout the day and handing out free Mint Balls.
Craig said: “Becoming a drag queen for the day will be a new experience for me but I am very, very excited.
“I’m always willing to help others and if someone comes up with a new idea that will help the local community, I’ll do my best to show support.
“This partnership between Wigan Pride and Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls has been a decade in the making and I think it’s a great example of how support for this event doesn’t necessarily need to be financial. Whilst we always welcome those contributions, we’re equally glad when a business finds a new way to support the event and our partnership with this fantastic local brand is really special for us.
“We hope everyone will come along on the day to see the final costume, enjoy the free Mint Balls, and perhaps even purchase a Wigan Pride tin from the Uncle Joe’s stall to take home as a memory of the day!”
This project has been sponsored by Calisen, Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls, ReDoo CIC and RADCaT.
More information on artists, entertainment, special guests, and activities at Wigan Pride 2026 will be announced between now and August. To keep up to date with the latest information on the event please follow Wigan Pride’s social media channels, Wigan Pride Facebook page (external link) and Wigan Pride Instagram (external link).
If you would like to sponsor Wigan Pride 2026, or have other questions about the event, please contact [email protected]
Posted on Thursday 21st May 2026