Two Gwent social businesses will be among those going for gold at the Social Business Wales Awards next month.

They are Market Hall Cinema in Brynmawr, Blaenau Gwent, and Torfaen Leisure Trust.

Market Hall Cinema is Wales' oldest cinema and the only remaining cinema in Blaenau Gwent.

In 2013 it was taken over by the local community with a simple business proposition – to sell 'seats and sweets'. It invests its profit into upgrading the building and community activities such as dance classes, painting courses, music workshops and film making courses.

Torfaen Leisure Trust manages five leisure facilities in Torfaen, serving a population of 90,000. TLT commenced trading in 2013 and describes itself as a dynamic, single-focused organisation, passionate about promoting healthier lifestyles through “FUN” activities.

Recognising excellence among the social business sector in Wales, the awards create a fantastic opportunity for many different types of social business to come together and celebrate the successes and achievements of the sector.

This year, for the first time, social businesses have been able to also enter five categories which are specific to different business sectors.

The ‘Consumer Facing’ category, recognises those serving the general public and have a presence in communities across Wales. This category is sponsored by Hugh James Solicitors. Bangor Gymnastics, the Market Hall Cinema and Too Good to Waste are the finalists in this category.

The ‘Culture and Leisure’ category, sponsored by Charity Bank, recognised outstanding social businesses working in diverse industries such as tourism, sport, arts and heritage. The finalists in this category are Denbighshire Music Co-operative, Run 4 Wales and Torfaen Leisure Trust.

The ‘Health and Social Care’ category, sponsored by Legal & General, was looking for innovative social businesses delivering care in new ways. Finalists CAIS Social Enterprises Ltd, Rhyl City Strategy and Wales Restorative Approaches Partnership all demonstrated alternative models of care.

The ‘Education, Training and Employment’ award, sponsored by NatWest, was for social businesses working with those furthest from the labour market, including businesses which provide formal and informal learning opportunities, apprenticeships, work-based training, work placements, jobs for people in a supported environment, and social firms. The finalists are Cycle Training Wales, the Fern Partnership and Full Circle Education.

The hotly contested ‘Environmental’ category, sponsored by Acuity Legal, attracted applications from social businesses in recycling, waste collection, furniture re-use, energy generation, environmental consultancy, resource management, conservation, community woodlands and community land trusts. The three finalists are Awel Aman Tawe, Dulas and Greenstream Flooring.

This year the awards feature two headline categories – ‘Social Enterprise of the Year’ and ‘One to Watch’. Winners of the sector categories will automatically go through to these categories (depending on their length of trading). In addition, three other social businesses have been shortlisted for one to Watch. They are Creating Enterprise CIC, Denbighshire Music Co-operative and Elite Paper Solutions.

Rhian Edwards, project manager for Social Business Wales, said: “Now in their sixth year, the Social Business Wales Awards have become known as the leading awards scheme for the sector. We are delighted with the number of fantastic businesses that have entered this year.

"The standard of entries from across Wales has been very high, illustrating that our social businesses are making an important contribution to the Welsh economy whilst delivering significant social and environmental benefits. These Awards will ensure they gain the recognition they deserve.”

The awards will be presented on September 28.