Olympics deal for Oswestry water firm

A company from Oswestry has won a contract to supply thousands of gallons of water to the world's top athletes living in the London 2012 Olympic Village.

The deal is a major coup for Natural Welsh Water, based on the Maesbury Road Industrial Estate.

Mike Webb, the company's owner and managing director, would not comment on the value of the contract but said it was 'hugely important'.

He said that the initial deal was to supply 50 water coolers and 10,000 gallons of water. That figure may increase during the games in July and August if there is enough demand from the athletes.

Natural Welsh Water distributes water sourced from the Brecon Beacons across Britain and already supplies several national names.

Mr Webb said: "The coolers will be sited at various points in buildings throughout the Olympic village for those living and working in the village during the games. It was a very hard tendering process but we are very pleased that Natural Welsh Water will have the kudos of supplying water to the 2012 London Olympics."

The company was formed in 2005 after Mr Webb and his wife, Barbaras left their jobs at Lindstrand Balloons.

After their initial success the couple began to offer franchises across Britain which were immediately taken up. Natural Welsh Water had to double the size of their distribution centre in Oswestry to cope with demand. It now employs 10 members of staff in the town.

"We support all our franchises with a telesales service and that is bringing new jobs to Oswestry as we grow. We have created a five-year plan that will see us create a total of 32 franchises across the UK," said Mr Webb.

"We supply pure, fresh water which has filtered through natural limestone for several years before it reaches the bottle."