Time to vote: 20 rural Welsh businesses shortlisted for prestigious Countryside Alliance awards

Twenty rural businesses from across Wales have been shortlisted for prestigious Countryside Alliance Awards, after thousands of nominations from across the country were whittled down to a final few.

Winners will be chosen via a public vote and our Welsh judging panel in January and announced at the The Senedd, Cardiff Bay on Tuesday 27 February 2024. The winners of the Welsh final will go on to represent Wales at the House of Lords in the national champions reception in June of 2024.

The businesses are judged on a range of criteria including their passion and commitment, sense of community, championing local food and the energy and diversity of their business.

The ‘Rural Oscars’- as they are commonly known – are now in their 17^th year. The awards celebrate rural businesses that go the extra mile, support their local economy and are the unsung heroes in every community.

Being nominated for the Countryside Alliance Awards can have a real impact on rural businesses. Most importantly, those businesses which go on to become finalists or champions will receive regional and national recognition, strengthening the reputation of their brand.

There are five categories including, ‘best pub’, ‘best village shop/ post office’, ‘best butcher’, ‘best for local food a drink’ and the ‘rural enterprise award’.

It’s now down to the general public to vote for their favourite rural businesses, which can be done via the Countryside Alliance website, here. The public can vote for one business in all of the categories, or for just one individual business in their respective category.

Countryside Alliance Wales Director Rachel Evans said: “This year, we’ve received an abundance of nominations from the Welsh public, showcasing numerous outstanding businesses. Each business holds a meaningful story, and it’s vital to recognise and value them. What sets the Rural Oscars apart is their emphasis on honoring the individuals behind these businesses, rather than just their products or services. Given the challenging circumstances faced by many rural businesses, it’s essential for all of us to demonstrate support in any way possible. We encourage as many people as possible to get voting today.”

The shortlisted Welsh businesses by category are as follows:

Butcher 

Izzy’s Butchers, Powys

Jones A’i Fab, Clwyd

Farmers Pantry Butchers, Vale of Glamorgan

Jones Bros, Ceredigion

Local Food / Drink 

Velfrey Vineyard, Pembrokeshire

Pysgod Llyn Seafoods, Gwynedd

Cwm Farm Charcuterie, Glamorgan

Carn Edward, Pembrokeshire

Pub 

Dolau Inn, Powys

Tafarn y Fic, Gwynedd

The Griffin Inn, Glamorgan

Y Llew Gwyn, Clwyd

Rural Enterprise 

The Welsh Wool Shed, Gwynedd

Bargoed Farm, Ceredigion

Cwm Farm Shop, Rhondda Cynnon Taf

Llanbenwch Caravan Park, Denbighshire

Village Shop / Post Office 

Llanymynech Village Shop, Powys

Boughrood Stores, Powys

Mantles Village Shop, Powys

R H Bunner and Son Ltd, Powys 

The link to vote, again, can be found here: Countryside Alliance Awards Wales Survey (research.net)