Three Shropshire companies in final for national business award
Three Shropshire businesses are preparing to battle it out against companies from across the UK ahead of the Rural Business Awards final.
Newport-based Organik Orangutan is in the running for an award in the Best Rural Retail Business category, Shrewsbury-based Tanki Ltd in the Best Rural Start Up Business category, and Shropshire Festivals from Ironbridge in the Best Rural Tourism Business category.
Due to the impact of Covid-19, the 2021 finalists will attend an online ceremony on Thursday, 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 and The Triumph Over Adversity Award.
Organik Orangutan makes palm oil-free soaps in small batches using the cold process method, meaning it can take up to six weeks for a batch to cure. Every ingredient used in the soaps is organically sourced and all packaging is recyclable meaning the company prides itself for its sustainability.
Tanki Ltd is the sole global distributor of toilet paper that is legally compliant for discharge at sea under current maritime law. Tanki 2 Ply Toilet Paper is dispersible, glue free and complies with MARPOL regulations annexe IV & V and domestic and commercial Environment Agency legislation.
Shropshire Festivals is an event company that specialises in creating fun events across Shropshire. The company are best known for the Shrewsbury Food Festival, Shropshire Kids Fest and Shropshire October Fest as well as helping other companies run their marketing and events.
Rosemarie Cantrill, from Organik Orangutan, said: “I’d like to thank Amazon and the Rural Business Awards for recognising the business. I’ve worked incredibly hard this past year and being in the running for such a prestigious award has given me a lot of encouragement.”
John Boumphrey, UK country manager for Amazon, said: “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. I would like to wish all three businesses 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.
Jemma said: “Every year, the quality of entries blows us away and this year has been no exception. It’s a privilege to showcase the incredible talent of the British rural sector and we would like to wish all the businesses from Shropshire good luck in the final.”
To find out more, visit ruralbusinessawards.co.uk
