A Warrington businesswoman with long-standing links to the Culcheth community has been crowned Ms Great Britain 2026/27, achieving a lifelong ambition 20 years after first stepping onto the national pageant stage.
Holly Pirrie, owner of The Dress Studio in Culcheth, will celebrate her 40th birthday in December with a national title to her name after being crowned at the Miss Great Britain National Final at Athena in Leicester on Friday, October 16.
The achievement marks a remarkable full-circle moment for Holly, whose pageant journey began at the very same venue back in 2006.
Then, competing as Miss Wigan, she had spent two years trying to qualify for a national final but did not place in her first competition.
Undeterred, she returned in 2007 as Miss Warrington and secured an impressive top-seven finish from a field of 91 contestants.
Now, almost two decades later, she has returned as a wife, mother and successful entrepreneur to claim the Ms Great Britain 2026/27 crown.
In a further twist of fate, Holly even found herself in the same changing room spot she had occupied during the 2007 competition.
Holly runs The Dress Studio, a prom, party and pageant dress boutique based in Culcheth, and has spent more than 20 years working in the pageant industry.
She also organises national beauty pageants in the North West, helping other women pursue their own ambitions in an industry that has played such a significant role in her life.
Her business has long-standing links with the local community and has been a regular advertiser in Warrington Worldwide magazine, supporting the local publication over many years.
Alongside running her business, organising pageants and raising her young family, Holly has now taken on the role of Ms Great Britain, with plans to use her new national platform to champion causes close to her heart.
Celebrating her title Holly Pirrie
Championing financial independence for young girls
One of Holly’s key priorities during her reign will be encouraging young girls to understand the importance of financial independence and making informed decisions about their futures.
Earlier this year, she hosted her first Independent Girls, Independent Futures workshop in aid of A-Sisterhood, encouraging young girls to develop the confidence and knowledge needed to build independent lives.
As a female entrepreneur and mother, Holly believes financial education should play a greater role in preparing young people for adulthood.
She hopes to expand the workshops throughout her reign, helping the next generation develop the skills and confidence to make their own choices.
Holly also hopes her personal story will inspire women who have experienced setbacks or feel they have not achieved their original ambitions.
Her message is that success does not always happen at the time or in the way people expect — and that dreams can be revisited at any stage of life.
More than £130,000 raised for charity
Holly’s crowning comes during a successful year for the Miss Great Britain organisation, with the 2026 finalists collectively raising more than £130,000 for Cancer Research UK and A-Sisterhood.
The fundraising effort highlights the charitable work undertaken by contestants alongside their preparations for the competition.
For Holly, whose financial independence workshops have supported A-Sisterhood, the achievement has particular significance.
National Director of Miss Great Britain Saffron Elliott said Holly’s journey captured the spirit of the organisation.
“Twenty years ago, she stood on the Athena stage with a dream. Two decades later, she returned as a mother, wife and successful businesswoman, with a wealth of life experience behind her, and achieved something incredibly special,” she said.
She added that Holly’s commitment to helping young girls understand financial independence and develop confidence in their futures made her a strong ambassador for the title.
Saffron also praised the finalists for raising more than £130,000 for the two charity partners, describing it as a reflection of their dedication and determination.
“Holly’s journey is a beautiful reminder that dreams don’t have an expiry date, and we couldn’t be prouder to welcome her as our new Ms Great Britain 2026/27,” she added.
Holly will now represent Ms Great Britain throughout 2026/27, continuing her work to empower young girls through financial education while encouraging women of all ages to pursue their ambitions.
Applications for the 2027 competition are now open, with no upper age limit and entries welcomed from mothers and married women.
For further information, visit www.missgreatbritainofficial.co.uk
