Three Powys companies are in the running to be named the best rural businesses in the UK after being shortlisted for a regional Rural Business Award. The companies are:
- Gifts of Wales from Welshpool – Best Rural Retail Business
- Ty’r Gobaith’s Pantry from Crickhowell – Best Rural Food or Drink Business
- Crown and Canopy fromPresteigne – Best Rural Professional Services Business and the Sustainability and Environmental Impact Award.
They will battle it out against fellow rural businesses, entrepreneurs and enterprises from across the region for a place at the national final. The regional final will be held virtually on Friday 15th October 2021, with the National Final taking place early next year.
Gifts of Wales is an online and physical shop sourcing gifts and homeware from Wales. The business focuses on stocking the wares of small businesses and artisans to support other growing businesses and give customers a unique collection of genuine Welsh products.
Ty’r Gobaith’s Pantry was established in 2017 by a husband and wife based in Llangattock. The couple make and sell small batches of preserves created from homegrown vegetables, fruits and herbs and foraged fruits, with the aim of exceeding the standard of everyday supermarket products.
Crown and Canopy started its glamping business in 2010 and has gained a wealth of knowledge around UK retreats, from treehouses to cabins and bell tents. The company sources and mills its own timber and employs local businesses with green credentials to create unique spaces on glamping sites across the UK.
The Rural Business Awards 2021/2022, in partnership with Amazon, will mark the Awards’ seventh year of celebrating the success of businesses across the UK’s rural economy. The Awards are organised by rural business for rural business with the aim of celebrating the achievements of rural businesses and developing a strong network for rural business owners.
Speaking after being shortlisted for an award, Kathryn Greatorex from Gifts from Wales, said:
“We’re thrilled to be shortlisted for a Rural Business Award. Knowing companies like Amazon support and recognise what we are doing gives us a great boost and we’re really looking forward to being part of the Regional Finals of the Rural Business Awards in October.”
“Amazon has proudly supported the Rural Business Awards since 2017 and each year, the quality of the entries gets better and better,” said John Boumphrey, UK Country Manager, Amazon. “I’d like to congratulate the businesses for their places on the shortlist and wish them and their regional peers the best of luck at the awards.”
Director and Co-Founder of The Rural Business Awards, Jemma Clifford, added: “We are excited to celebrate the 2021/2022 awards after such a challenging year for businesses. We are passionate about creating a nurturing environment where rural businesses can develop, and this starts by showcasing the great work they do. On behalf of everyone at the Rural Business Awards, we want to say well done to all the shortlisted businesses and wish them luck ahead of the regional finals.”
The Rural Business Awards is the creation of Leicestershire businesswomen Anna Price and Jemma Clifford, who wanted to showcase the wealth of entrepreneurial talent in rural areas of the UK.
The Awards are organised by rural business for rural business, with winners in the 13 categories – ranging from Best Rural Start-up and Best Rural Diversification Project; through to Best Rural Professional Services Business and Best Rural Social Enterprise, Charity or Community Project – decided by an independent panel of judges drawn from the rural business sector, rural public sector agencies, and rural charitable organisations.
