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Aled Woosnam, a young entrepreneur from Montgomeryshire, whose business continues to thrive despite the pandemic, received the main award at the Powys Business Awards.

Aled, 26, who owns AL Technical, an electrical and specialty communications company, and 23 Social, a flagship multipurpose bar and grill in Newtown, received the Powys County Council-sponsored overall Powys Business of the Year Award.

It also won the Welsh Government-sponsored Entrepreneurship Award at the Drive-In Awards ceremony in Newtown last Friday.

The Powys Business Awards are organized by the Mid Wales Manufacturing Group and recognize business excellence across the county.

“I am absolutely speechless and can’t believe we won this award which will hopefully take my business to the next level,” said Aled. “We still have a lot in the pipeline and that would not have been possible without the two strong teams we brought in. I would also like to thank my family and friends who have supported me. “

AL Technical Services has grown stronger during the pandemic under Alfred’s leadership and he has fulfilled a dream by opening 23 Social as he has always had a passion for hospitality.

AL Technical was founded in 2017 and employs 17 people and achieved record sales in 2020, with further growth expected this year. He discovered a niche in the market for rural internet solutions, introduced 4G broadband and offers modern and advanced business solutions to his customers.

Aled opened 23 socials with 30 employees during the pandemic. The venue has a rooftop bar, barrier-free access, TV and state-of-the-art sound systems, and uses social media throughout the building with talking points, live counters and a green wall.

He has also launched a website design, marketing and branding consultancy, works with other companies to promote Newtown and host events, and is a partner with Severn Valley Events, a Powys-based mobile bar company .

The Powys Business Awards jury named Aled “an inspiring and worthy ambassador and standard bearer for Powys”. They praised the strong leadership of its companies, investment in employee training and development, and commitment to creating more opportunities for local people and supporting the community.

Two special jury prizes were awarded this year, sponsored by the Mid Wales Manufacturing Group, to Red Kite Health Solutions CIC and SWG Group, Welshpool.

Red Kite Health Solutions CIC in Brecon works with primary care practices in South Powys to provide affordable and innovative health solutions, while Wales-based SWG Group partnered with Ysgol Llanfyllin to set up the SWG Construction Academy to advance careers in the construction industry.

Brothers Scott and Luke Williams, who founded Team Elite based in Caersws seven years ago to make attractive concrete retaining wall products, won the Small Business Growth Award sponsored by EDF Renewables.

CellPath, a Newtown company specializing in cancer diagnosis products and services, has added the Industry Wales-sponsored Technology and Innovation Award to its Powys Business Awards collection.

Two companies in Llandrindod Wells received awards. Cherry Build, Llandrindod Wells won the Start Up Business Award sponsored by the NPTC Group of College, while Asiantaeth Ynni Severn Wye won the Social Enterprise / Charity Award sponsored by Myrick Training Services.

The other winners were: Cellar Drinks Company, Crickhowell, Micro Business Award (less than 10 employees) sponsored by the Welshpool Printing Group. Gloversure, Welshpool, Small Business Award (under 30 employees) sponsored by the Powys County Times. Trax JH Ltd, Newtown, Growth Award sponsored by the Development Bank of Wales.

The other finalists were: Start up Business Award: By the Wye, Hay on Wye and Network Praxis, Newtown. Entrepreneurship Award: SWG Group, Welshpool and HILLS, Brecon. Micro Business Award: Cradoc’s Savory Biscuits Ltd, Brecon Etic Lab LLP, Newtown and Team Elite Ltd, Caersws.

Growth Award: CellPath Ltd, Newtown and Radnor Hills, Knighton. Small Business Award: AL Technical Service Ltd, Newtown and HILLS, Brecon. Small Business Growth Award: Beacon Detection Ltd, Brecon and Hughes Architects, Newtown. Social Enterprise / Charity Award: Going Green for a Living Community Land Trust Ltd, Newtown and Red Kite Health Solutions CIC, Brecon. Technology and Innovation Award: Parry and Evans Limited, Welshpool; Trax JH Ltd, Newtown and Wipak UK Ltd, Wales.