A SOCIAL enterprise in Chirk is celebrating twice after it was named in a top 100 list across the UK and became a finalist for a separate prestigious award.

Glyn Wylfa, in Castle Road, has been included in the NatWest SE100 list for the second consecutive year.

It has also been named as a finalist in the Community Impact section of the 2021 Social Business Wales Awards.

The social enterprise, which is home to buildings which include a café and office space, is set to be considered for the Social Business Wales Award in the coming months.

Director at Glyn Wylfa, Brian Colley, is proud of all involved at the Chirk-based venture.

He said: “The directors are extremely pleased with the top 100 listing that we earned for the second year running.

“We’re also extremely pleased to be named as a finalist for the Social Business Awards Wales as well.

“The awards organisers will be coming to film a video at Glyn Wylfa, ahead of the judging which takes place in October.

“We’re very proud because we recognise the hard work that all of our employees and directors, and the loyalty and support of our customers as well.

“It’s great for the charities we support including Nightingale House Hospice, and the local football teams we support and donate kits to.”

Mr Colley explained how he found the news all the more pleasing after a difficult year caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“It has been a difficult year and we’re very pleased that customers have returned to the café in good numbers,” he said.

“The facilities put in place including outside cover, new coffee machines and new kitchen equipment, has all proved to be very successful.”

Derek Walker, chief executive of the Wales Co-operative Centre and delivery lead for the Social Business Wales project, said the awards aim to celebrate the businesses for their efforts during the pandemic.

He said: “Trading conditions have been significantly disrupted for a lot of businesses over the last 18 months, so for this year’s awards we are looking to celebrate the resilience and the entrepreneurial spirit of the social business sector.

“The 2021 awards will also be a moment to celebrate the incredible contributions made by social businesses in Wales, recognising those organisations which have pivoted, grown and thrived in these most challenging conditions.

“We wish all the businesses shortlisted the best of luck at the awards. We hope that, whatever the outcome, their success will inspire a generation of future social entrepreneurs.”

Running since 2010, the awards are a celebration of the Welsh social enterprise movement and demonstrate the strength of social business activity across the length and breadth of Wales.

The Social Business Wales Awards are being held virtually for the first time on Tuesday, October 5. The awards are part of the Social Business Wales project which is funded by Welsh Government and the European Regional Development Fund.