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Wigan Observer

The Wigan Observer is a weekly tabloid newspaper sold in Wigan and the surrounding parts of the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan in western Greater Manchester (formerly southern Lancashire), including the towns of Hindley, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Ince-in-Makerfield, Standish and Leigh.

The Observer is relatively unusual in being published on a Tuesday; most weeklies publish later in the week.

It was founded in 1853 as The Wigan Observer and District Advertiser by Wigan’s postmaster at the time, Thomas Wall, and was family-run until 1966, the same year in which it adopted its present title.

It’s published by Lancashire Publications, based in the town; Lancashire Publications is part of the nationwide Johnston Press group of local newspapers.

It shares a website – and editorial offices in Wigan – with the Wigan Evening Post and the freesheet Wigan Reporter.

A shared Observer/Evening Post app for iOS and Android devices is now available.

  • Address:
  • Wigan Observer
    Martland Mill
    Martland Mill Lane

    WIGAN
    WN5 0LX
  • Tel:
  • 01942 228000
  • Fax:
  • 01942 223645