Wigan has no shortage of stories worth celebrating, but for years, many of them struggled to find a platform. That changed when Claire Hannah, a veteran journalist with 26 years in radio and TV, decided to take matters into her own hands and launch What’s happening in Wigan, the borough’s fast‑growing good‑news media service.

Claire, who has worked across Bauer, Global, UTV, Granada Reports, BBC, ITN and Channel 5, built the platform after watching local media shrink and Wigan’s stories get sidelined. She describes herself as “Wigan born, Wigan bred, and Wigan proud,” a sentiment she’s repeated across her public posts.

A Career Built on Storytelling

Claire’s CV reads like a tour of the UK’s biggest broadcast newsrooms. She has served as a reporter, presenter, anchor and producer across radio and television, including ITV Granada and Five News.

But despite her national‑level experience, she never stopped championing her hometown. When she noticed local stations disappearing and newsrooms “rolling their eyes” at Wigan stories, she decided to build a platform dedicated to positivity, community spirit and local pride.

A Digital Platform With Real‑World Impact

Since launching What’s Happening In Wigan, Claire has seen hundreds of thousands of views across social media, with locals regularly recognising her from TikTok and community events.

Her content ranges from uplifting human‑interest stories to arts, culture, local heroes, and Wigan’s hidden gems. The platform’s tagline GOOD news only has resonated deeply with residents tired of negativity.

What’s Next

With her media background, community trust and unstoppable enthusiasm, she’s quickly becoming one of Wigan’s most influential modern storytellers.

She has recently stepped into a new role as an official editor of The Draft, and will debut her own column in Issue 2, bringing her voice and perspective directly into the heart of the magazine.