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At a time when trading on the high street is fraught with increasing costs and the ever-presence of the internet, one Caerphilly-based company has proven it is not all doom and gloom.

Bwthyn celebrated a double award win at this year’s Caerphilly Business Club Awards.

The handmade soap and candle shop collected Start-up of the Year and Independent Retailer of the Year at Bryn Meadows Golf Hotel and Spa, near Maesycwmmer, on Friday, November 25.

They were among 11 companies and individuals celebrated during the award ceremony.

Married couple Ruth and Alun Hancock opened Bwthyn on Cardiff Road, Caerphilly, town in August this year.

Ruth said: “For once in my life I am speechless. We have every intention of putting Caerphily on the map and I want it to be the beating heart of the mid-valleys.”

Missing out on the Leadership in Business category it was nominated for, Cornerstone Support was given the prestigious Chairman’s Special Recognition Award for its work helping homeless people and helping prevent people becoming homeless.

Chief executive Andrew Clarke said he was “gobsmacked” and the award gave credibility to the third sector.

Simplelifeco, based in Abercarn, provide sustainable packaging to mico-businesses and won the Environmental and Sustainability Award.

Run by Bethan Keeble and Dino Hodzovic, the company buys materials only available at scale and then supplies it to smaller firms.

Dino said: “We’re such a small business we rarely get the chance to get out and speak with people, so to get recognition for what we are doing is great.”

Matthew Tucker, chair of Caerphilly Business Club said: “Congratulations to all our nominees this evening. I’m sure all the judges will agree the standard of entries was astonishing. We’ve seen record breaking entries across the board of categories.”

Previously the Caerphilly Business Forum, the association rebranded and relaunched in May 2020 in a bid to inject new life into the networking group. The ceremony was hosted by science communicator Huw James, from Pontllanfraith.

The 2022 award winners

Small Business of the Year – Parkmans and Aktons
Sponsored by Development Bank of Wales

Rural Economy Award – The White Cross
Sponsored by Rural Development Programme

International Business – Atlantic Service Company
Sponsored by Caerphilly County Borough Council

Medium Business of the Year – Maid to Help Cleaning Solutions
Sponsored by JCP Solicitors

Apprentice of the Year – Megan Williams – Construction Hub Academy
Sponsored by Educ8 Group

Tourism Venue of the Year – Gellihaf House
Sponsored by Caerphilly County Borough Council

Start-up of the Year – Bwthyn
Sponsored by Welsh ICE

Leadership in Business – Atlantic Service Company
Sponsored by Coleg y Cymoedd

Environmental and Sustainability – Simplelifeco
Sponsored by Town Square Spaces

Independent Retailer – Bwthyn
Sponsored by Adsmart from Sky

Large Business of the Year – Catnic

Chairman’s Award – Cornerstone Support