MONTY’S Brewery Visitor Centre, based in Montgomery, is the toast of the town after being shortlisted as a finalist in the Rural Business Awards 2019/20 for Wales and Northern Ireland region, held in partnership with Amazon.

Monty’s will now battle it out with other rural businesses from across Wales and Northern Ireland in the Best Rural Tourism Business category for a place in the national final later this year.

Founded in 2009 by Pam and Russ Honeyman, Monty’s Brewery opened a Visitor Centre in Montgomery in 2015 where they showcase their beers, sell merchandise and develop new brews.

Referring to award shortlisting, commercial director Russ said: “This is exciting news. We are used to our beers winning awards, but this is the first time we have entered the Visitor Centre. I hope it shows we give visitors, whether beer drinkers or not, an enjoyable, relaxed experience and an insight into what the brewery is all about.”

The Rural Business Awards 2019/20 celebrate businesses across the UK’s rural economy which is especially important in Wales.

Awards director and co-founder, Anna Price, said: “The 2019/20 awards have seen a record number of entries and it’s encouraging to see so many rural businesses express a desire to celebrate their successes on a regional and national scale.

“We are passionate about creating a nurturing environment where rural businesses can develop and this starts by showcasing the great work they do. On behalf of everyone at the Rural Business Awards, we want to say well done to Monty’s Brewery Visitor Centre and all the shortlisted businesses and wish them luck ahead of the regional finals.”

There are 12 categories which are judged by an independent panel of judges drawn from the rural business sector, rural public sector agencies and rural charitable organisations.

The regional final for Wales and Northern Ireland with be held this autumn ahead of the national final next February.

To find out more about Monty’s Brewery, go to www.montysbrewery.co.uk or to learn about the Rural Business Awards visit www.ruralbusinessawards.co.uk

Pictured: Russ and Pam Honeyman outside The Cottage, Monty’s Brewery Visitor Centre.