TWO Powys businesses are preparing to battle it out against companies from across the UK ahead of the Amazon backed Rural Business Awards final, which will take place on Thursday, February 25.

Llanwrtyd Wells Community Transport will be hoping for joy in the ‘Best Rural Social Enterprise, Charity or Community Project’ category and PM Training and Assessing will represent Brecon in the ‘Best Rural Innovation’ category in this year’s final.

Due to the impact of Covid-19, the 2021 finalists will attend an online ceremony where the overall winners in each category will be announced.

This year, businesses had 13 categories they could enter, ranging from ‘Best Rural Start-Up Business’ and ‘Best Rural Diversification Project’, through to ‘Best Rural Professional Services Business’.

PM Training and Assessing was set up in 2005 by Paul and Pam Martin to provide assessor training to those in railway signalling.

Llanwrtyd Wells Community Transport is a not-for-profit social enterprise. The company provides community transport services, linking with existing bus and rail route wherever possible, endeavouring to increase social inclusion and improve quality of life in the rural area.

Speaking ahead of the final, Laura Burns from Llanwrtyd Wells Community Transport, said: “We're over the moon to be in the running for a Rural Business Award.

“Receiving recognition like this from Amazon and the Rural Business Awards is a welcom boost during a difficult time. Last year we were the national runners-up in our category, having been the winner for the Wales and Northern Ireland region, and we're hoping we have shown the judges even more about what we do this year.”

“The Rural Business Awards is an excellent opportunity to highlight the accomplishments of rural businesses and we’re very proud to be sponsoring the awards, particularly during this challenging year,” said John Boumphrey, UK country manager at Amazon.

“I would like to wish PM Training and Assessing and Llanwrtyd Wells Community Transport the best of luck ahead of the final.”

The Rural Business Awards 2020/21 will mark the awards’ sixth year of celebrating the success of businesses across the UK’s rural sector, which contributes £299 billion in gross value added to the overall UK economy.

The Rural Business Awards is the brainchild of Leicestershire businesswomen Anna Price and Jemma Clifford, who wanted to showcase the wealth of entrepreneurial talent in rural areas of Britain.

To find out more, visit www.ruralbusinessawards.co.uk.