Businesses from across the Powys business community will be bidding for accolades after the shortlists were revealed for the county’s premier business event.

Despite a pandemic-related hiatus in 2020, the popular competition returns later this year when 21 businesses shortlisted for the different award categories will go head-to-head in this year’s Powys Business Awards.

Winners will be chosen following judging interviews which will take place over the summer months, with winners set to be announced at an awards dinner to be held on Friday, October 8 in Newtown.

In addition to the regular award categories, the Judging Panel hold a discretionary award called the Judges Award which is made each year to recognise some outstanding achievement or person that has come to the judge’s attention during their visits and which the strict criteria for the other awards does not recognise which this year is sponsored by the Mid Wales Manufacturing Group.

The overall award for Powys Business Awards, the Business of the Year, is sponsored by Powys County Council and will be selected from the individual category winners.

Cllr. Rosemarie Harris, Leader of Powys County Council, said: "The Powys Business Awards celebrate excellence and brings recognition in the local and regional business communities. There is a wide breadth of sectors represented and sizes of companies from across Powys. I’m delighted that Powys County Council continues to support them.”

Cllr Iain McIntosh, Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning & Economic Regeneration added “Not only do these awards provide an excellent opportunity for the county’s businesses to raise their profiles, they give us the chance to showcase their quality and celebrate their success”. I look forward to finding out more about each of the finalists’ journeys and congratulate them all on reaching the finals in a tough competition.”

The finalists are as follows:

Start up Business Award sponsored by NPTC Group of Colleges

• By the Wye, Hay on Wye

• Cherry Build Ltd, Llandrindod Wells

• Network Praxis, Newtown

Entrepreneurship Award sponsored by Welsh Government

• AL Technical/ 23 Social, Newtown

• SWG Group, Welshpool

• HILLS, Brecon

Micro Business Award (Less than 10 employees) sponsored by Welshpool Printing Group

• Cellar Drinks Company, Crickhowell

• Cradocs Savoury Biscuits Ltd, Brecon

• Etic Lab LLP, Newtown

• Team Elite Ltd, Caersws

Growth Award sponsored by Development Bank of Wales

• CellPath Ltd, Newtown

• Radnor Hills, Knighton

• Trax JH Ltd, Newtown

Small Business Award (Under 30 employees) sponsored by The County Times

• AL Technical Service Ltd, Newtown

• Gloversure, Welshpool

• HILLS, Brecon

Small Business Growth sponsored by EDF Renewables

• Beacon Detection Ltd, Brecon

• Hughes Architects, Newtown

• Team Elite Ltd, Caersws

Social Enterprise/ Charity Award sponsored by Myrick Training Services

• Asiantaeth Ynni Severn Wye, Llandrindod Wells

• Going Green for a Living Community Land Trust Ltd, Newtown

• Red Kite Health Solutions CIC, Brecon

Technology & Innovation sponsored by Industry Wales

• CellPath Ltd, Newtown

• Parry and Evans Limited, Welshpool

• Trax JH Ltd, Newtown

• Wipak UK Ltd, Welshpool