Cheap Mover guide
Removal company in Wigan
Moving in Wigan can involve local access, property type, parking and route planning. Cheap Mover's enquiry form collects these details before a quotation is prepared.
Moving in Wigan
Wigan sits midway between Manchester, sixteen miles to the south-east, and Liverpool, seventeen miles to the south-west, within the historic county of Lancashire though now part of Greater Manchester. The town has a long history stretching back to Roman times, when it was known as Coccium, and it received its medieval borough charter in 1246, but it is best known for its industrial past, particularly coal mining, with an estimated 1,000 pit shafts once located within five miles of the town centre.
George Orwell's 1937 book "The Road to Wigan Pier" cemented the town's association with industrial hardship in the public imagination, though the Wigan Pier area itself has since been the focus of significant regeneration as a heritage quarter. The last cotton mill in the town closed in 1980, and Wigan has spent the decades since diversifying its economy while retaining a strongly working-class residential character across much of the borough, sitting alongside the Leeds and Liverpool Canal which still runs through the town.
Popular areas and getting around Wigan
Standish, to the north of the town centre, is generally considered one of the more sought-after residential areas, with a good mix of semi-detached and detached housing, while Pemberton and Orrell to the west offer a similarly suburban feel. Closer to the centre, areas like Scholes, Poolstock and Wallgate feature more traditional terraced housing typical of the town's industrial past, and Worsley Mesnes provides a further mix of housing types south of the centre.
Wigan has two railway stations, Wigan North Western on the West Coast Main Line offering fast connections to London, Manchester and Scotland, and Wigan Wallgate serving more local and regional routes. The town benefits from good motorway access, with the M6, M61 and M58 all reachable via the A49 and A577, and Go North West operates franchised bus services alongside several other operators covering the wider borough.
House removals and man and van services in Wigan
Wigan's older terraced streets around Scholes, Poolstock and Wallgate reflect the town's industrial and mining past, often with narrow frontages and limited off-street parking, so it is worth checking with your removal company how close a van can realistically get to your front door. Streets in these areas were generally built close to the former mills and pits, and some retain a tightly packed layout that needs a bit of extra planning on moving day.
In the more suburban areas like Standish, Orrell and Pemberton, wider roads and more driveways generally make loading straightforward. A man and van service tends to suit smaller moves well in the town's terraced areas, while a full removal team is usually more appropriate for larger family homes in the suburbs, particularly where multiple bedrooms of furniture need to be moved efficiently in a single day.
Packing and preparation
Given the number of traditional terraced streets in Wigan, take time to measure staircases and doorways at your new property before moving day, particularly for larger furniture items that may need to be partially dismantled to fit through. Wrap items in blankets or bubble wrap for the carry between van and door, since narrow pavements in some of the older streets mean less room to manoeuvre than you might expect.
Pack a box of everyday essentials, including kettle, mugs, toiletries and a change of clothes, to keep with you rather than in the removal van, so your first evening in a new home in Wigan is not spent searching through unopened boxes. If you are moving near the canal or town centre, check parking restrictions in advance, as some streets near Wigan Pier have limited or restricted vehicle access.
International relocation from Wigan
Wigan's position close to the M6 and M61 makes both Manchester Airport and Liverpool John Lennon Airport realistic options for international relocation, with Manchester Airport generally offering the wider range of long-haul destinations and typically reachable within around 40 minutes to an hour depending on traffic.
For a move abroad from Wigan, start planning your shipping method early, whether air freight for speed or sea freight for a more cost-effective option on a full household move, and check the specific import rules of your destination country well in advance. Keep a detailed inventory of everything being shipped, as this will make customs clearance considerably smoother on arrival.
Getting a quote for a move in Wigan
When requesting a quote for a move in Wigan, describe your property type clearly, whether a terrace near the town centre or a larger house in Standish or Orrell, and mention the number of bedrooms along with any bulky or awkward items. Note whether your street has restricted parking or narrow access, as this is common in the older parts of town.
Give your preferred moving dates as early as you can, and mention any access issues at either property, such as steep stairs or a lack of nearby parking. Providing this detail upfront will help your removal company give you an accurate quote and avoid surprises on the day of the move.