Some local traders have been lost during the years but you can count on one hand the number of large chain stores with many of the streets populated with successful independently ran shops. The Chadwick Family's Emporium of Fine Foods has been operating in Standish for some years and had gone from strength to strength.

The thing it is richest in, however, is the strong community and a pride to make Standish the best it possible can be. And it shows. There are plenty of things to get involved in with lots of different clubs and societies to join.

All of these plus points have all helped the huge boom in the property market that has been experienced in Standish. More and more people are choosing the settlement as their new home. It is often thought of as the more affluent side of Wigan, being just ten minutes away.

Hundreds of new homes have been built over recent years boosting the population and the local economy.

As you drive along the A49, the main road into Standish, beautiful homes stand majestically. Venture nearer to the centre and there are lots of neat terraced rows bursting with character. Some of Standish's oldest buildings stand in the Market Place including the former Eagle and Child pub, now a whitewashed property facing St Wilfrid's Church.

Families and young professionals take up the largest proportion of new people moving here. For the former it is perfect because as well as a pleasant place to live, there are excellent schools. For the latter, you have plenty to keep you entertained while being ideally close to cities like Manchester and Preston. It is clear that the younger end of the market is increasingly interested in Standish looking at average sale prices. A terraced home comes in at an average of £50,000 less than a flat or apartment.