A FLINTSHIRE business founder is encouraging fellow rural entrepreneurs to showcase their work, products and services at the forthcoming 2021/22 Rural Business Awards.

Becky Hamilton from Mold started the Accessible Holiday Escapes website with her husband Phil.

The Leader reported recently how the company was named Best Rural Start-Up Business in the 2020/2021 Rural Business Awards, which was held in partnership with Amazon.

Entries for this year’s competition close on May 21 and Mrs Hamilton is encouraging others to enter.

She said: “I want to encourage all rural businesses in Flintshire to enter this year’s awards before the deadline passes.

"We were honoured to be a part of the Rural Business Awards last year and receiving recognition from a company like Amazon has given us a real boost."

Accessible Holiday Escapes is a multi-award-winning website with over 50 accessibility filters to choose from to help guests with disabilities find quality accommodation to suits their needs.

Becky and Phil Hamilton love having holidays and days out, but often found it difficult to find accommodation that suited the needs of their eight-year-old daughter, who has a rare metabolic disorder called CDG Type 2, and their 13-year-old son.

The couple was surprised to discover how often access information is missing from websites, so decided to set up Accessible Holiday Escapes to help other families facing the same problem.

The Rural Business Awards 2021/22 marks the seventh year of celebrating the success of businesses across the UK’s rural economy.

Shortlisted businesses will compete first in the regional finals, which will take place virtually in the North, East, Midlands, South East, South West and Wales and Northern Ireland throughout October and November 2021. The grand final will take place early next year, where winners from the regional heats will compete for the coveted national titles.

There are 13 categories businesses can 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.

Jemma Clifford, director and co-founder of The Rural Business Awards, added: “We are optimistic about the future of the rural business sector after such a challenging time, and we are excited to celebrate the best rural businesses the UK has to offer.

"We encourage all rural businesses to sign up to be in with a chance of winning an award.”

Rural businesses can submit their award entries until Friday, May 21, for any of the 13 categories via: https://www.ruralbusinessawards.co.uk/enter-2021/