Shops, gyms, a stadium and even a helicopter have all switched from JJB to DW in the last few months — and now Pemberton Old Wigan Band have benefited too.

Old and new

Dave Whelan’s new sport and leisure chain has agreed to sponsor the band after his old company, JJB sports was forced to pull the plug earlier this year.

The newly named Pemberton Old Wigan DW Band gave its first performance this week at a party celebrating the recently re-titled DW stadium’s 10th anniversary.

Mr Whelan is a life-long brass band supporter and no mean trombone playerBrian Halliwell

Gratitude

Band Chairman Brian Haliwell expressed his gratitude when he told 4BR: "It was not a complete surprise when we heard that we were losing our JJB sponsorship given their financial situation, but to have someone like Mr Whelan waiting in the wings was very reassuring. Mr Whelan is a life-long brass band supporter and no mean trombone player."

Easy decision

A spokesperson for Mr Whelan added: "Agreeing to sponsor the band was an easy decision to make. Wigan has a long and rich history of brass bands and this one is back up there with the best of them."