TWO businesses in Barry have won top industry awards recognising independent traders.

Sorya’s Cocktail and Desserts Bar and Beloved Boutique both won an award at the Vale Business Awards on Friday, September 22.

Beloved Boutique was the winner of the Best Retail Business while Sorya McDonnell, owner of Sorya’s Cocktails and Dessert bar was awarded the Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Mayor of Barry, Cllr Ian Johnson, said he was delighted with the success of the two Holton Road shops, showing that it highlights the range and quality of businesses in the centre of Barry. 

 “The Vale Business Awards is open to businesses throughout the whole Vale of Glamorgan, so it is great to see judges choose two Holton Road businesses as the best in their categories. 

 “One of Barry’s advantages is the large number of unique shops and businesses which are independently and locally owned.

 “That means that they offer services you can’t find on the internet and have the bonus of knowing their customers as people rather than algorithms.”

Beloved Boutique is a ladies' clothing boutique that offers a large range of clothing accessories for women of all ages, with a personal shopping experience.

Both businesses opened on Holton Road in 2021, as Barry came out of the pandemic and are celebrating their second anniversary on Barry’s main shopping street.

Sorya’s offers cocktails and desserts from their shop in the pedestrianised area, up from Kings Square.

The award for Sorya’s comes a month after a 48-year-old man was arrested for breaking into Sorya’s cocktail bar and desserts.

Cllr Johnson added: “Other Barry shops such as Barrybados on the Island and Karry’s Vegan Deli on Park Crescent also made it to the shortlist, showing how good the shopping is across the whole of Barry.”