A Barry business has won an award for Retail and Tourism of the year 2024 at the Business South Wales Awards.

Kathyrn Donovan, 39, runs Môr A Sawna. Her business, located at Jacksons Bay, offers the Vale’s first wellbeing woodfire sauna experience.

Since opening 17 weeks ago, business has skyrocketed, and Kathyrn’s seen over 1,200 people come and use the sauna.

The prestigious awards ceremony was hosted at the Hilton Hotel in Cardiff, where Môr A Sawna was a finalist for 2 categories, ‘Start-up of the Year’ and ‘Retail and Tourism of the Year.’

Kathyrn Donovan and her sauna Kathyrn Donovan and her sauna (Image: Kathyrn Donovan)  Kathyrn told us about her reaction to winning an award: “So, I won ‘Retail and Tourism of the year 2024’ and I have no words really, it’s just so phenomenal because we’re 17 weeks in-

“So, I had to take out a loan to open my business and when I went for the funding I was asked ‘do you really think you’ll do all that in the first few months?’ I’ve done it, I smashed what I was expecting so absolutely I’m buzzing.”

Môr A Sawna also offers a range of different wellbeing experiences, something Kathryn was keen to implement as a focus as part of her business plan.

She said: “My vision for it was to create a community that really supports mental health and physical wellbeing.”

“I used to be a mental health trauma specialist and I’ve been a sea swimmer for years, so I really wanted to try and find a way to combine those elements.”

Public Reaction to the business has been overwhelmingly positive.

Kathyrn added: “Over the weekend, some of my customers have come down with flowers and prosecco, chocolates, cards all sorts. It’s only been 17 weeks.”

The awards ceremony The awards ceremony (Image: Kathyrn Donovan)

Kathyrn managed to create something she could envision: “There's a real friendship and sense of community, that’s exactly how I wanted it to be. You can come on your own not know anyone and chat away to people. Because everybody down there is friendly and they’re looking for time out."

The sauna The sauna (Image: Kathyrn Donovan) Kathyrn continued: “People come out of my sauna sessions, they’re changing numbers and meeting up for coffees after, it’s so amazing.”

Môr A Sawna offers a range of different sauna experience including sunrise sessions and after dark sessions.