TWO companies in Cirencester and one in Tetbury has been nominated for an award at this years Rural Business Awards.

The trio are three of ten firms in Gloucestershire to be shortlisted in a prestigious awards scheme showcasing the very best in British rural enterprise.

Cirencester's Vanessa Arbunhott and the Royal Agricultural University’s Cotswold Hills project and Jolly Nice in Tetbury are in the regional heats of this year’s the awards.

The RBA's, sponsored by Amazon, are now in their fourth year and are the only UK-wide business awards specifically for the rural sector.

The ten shortlisted businesses will find out if they have won a top slot at a glittering ceremony on Thursday 18th October at Bath Racecourse.

The successful winners at the regional finals, from the 13 award categories, are put forward to the National Final, which takes place in February 2019.

“Congratulations to all the shortlisted companies in the South West ahead of the regional finals of the 2018 Rural Business Awards,” said Doug Gurr, UK Country Manager, Amazon. “These local businesses have a real positive impact on the local and national economy, and are a true inspiration to others. We wish all the nominees the best of luck ahead of the regional finals on 18th October.”

The RBAs were founded by Leicestershire businesswomen Jemma Clifford and Anna Price and now attract hundreds of entries from businesses based all over rural Britain. The aim of the awards is to highlight the success of businesses across the UK’s rural economy – a segment which employs in excess of 3.4million people in more than 750,000 businesses in England alone.

The awards are organised by rural business for rural business, with winners in the 13 categories, ranging from Best Rural Start-up and Outstanding Rural Diversification Project through to Best Rural Professional Services Business and Rural Education or Training Business - decided by an independent panel of judges drawn from the rural business sector, rural public sector agencies, and rural charitable organisations.

Co-founder Jemma Clifford said: “Congratulations to all the shortlisted business from Gloucestershire which have it made this far in our awards. We are so proud to be holding the RBAs for the fourth year as they continue to go from strength to strength.”

The shortlisted firms from Gloucestershire are:

Best Rural Retail Business:

Bhoid International, Cheltenham, www.bhoid.co.uk

Best Rural Creative or Media based Business:

Rapture & Wright, Evenlode, www.raptureandwright.co.uk

ALS Marketing, Mitcheldean, www.alsmarketing.co.uk

Vanessa Arbuthnott, Cirencester, www.vanessaarbuthnott.co.uk

Social Enterprise, Charity or Community Project of the Year:

Royal Agricultural University’s Cotswold Hills project, Cirencester, www.rau.ac.uk

BHVSA, Brockweir, www.bandhvillageshop.co.uk

Best Rural Recreational or Outdoor Pursuits Business:

Briery Hill Llamas, Kilcot, www.brieryhillllamas.co.uk

Best Rural Food Business:

Harts Barn Cookery School, Longhope, www.hartsbarncookeryschool.co.uk

Jolly Nice, Tetbury, www.jollynicefarmshop.com

Best Rural Drink Business:

Hillside Brewery, Nr Longhope, www.hillsidebrewery.com