Wigan One Radio to closedown

A local radio station set up to serve communities across Wigan borough is to close, bringing an end to a project originally launched to promote the town centre and support local businesses.

Wigan One Radio, which broadcasts online and via mobile platforms, confirmed it will cease operations following the publication of a farewell feature on its website. The station had positioned itself as “Wigan’s radio station”, providing music, local news, and features focused on community life.

The station was launched in 2023 to help fill the gap left by the closure of Wish FM, which had served the area for more than two decades before being merged into a national network in 2020.

Wigan One was operated on behalf of PlaceCo, the organisation involved in the redevelopment of Wigan town centre, including the Galleries scheme. The project formed part of wider efforts to increase footfall, promote local events, and support traders during a period of significant regeneration.

From its base in the town centre, the station combined music programming with locally focused content, including news updates, community features, and promotion of events across the borough. It also provided a platform for local presenters and contributors, including several with previous experience in commercial radio.

In a closing message published on its website, the station thanked listeners and contributors for their support, signalling the end of its broadcast activity. While no detailed reason for the closure has been formally outlined, the project’s conclusion aligns with the evolving nature of the town centre regeneration programme and the contractual arrangements under which the station operated.

The closure marks the loss of a dedicated local broadcasting outlet for Wigan, at a time when many traditional local radio services have been reduced or absorbed into larger regional networks. The departure of Wigan One leaves the borough without a standalone station focused solely on local content, echoing concerns previously raised following the end of Wish FM.

The boroughs of Bolton, Stockport, Oldham, Tameside, Rochdale, Salford, and Manchester all have dedicated local radio stations.