FIVE Winchester businesses shortlisted for the Winchester Business Excellence Corporate Social Responsibility Award have now been announced.

Osborne Property Services, the Holiday Inn, Wilding Butler Construction Ltd, Integr8 Dance and Lakesmere were selected from a range of entries for the award, sponsored by the Business Collective, the winner of which will be announced at the prestigious ceremony in June.

Adrienne Marsden of The Business Collective said: “Considering this is a new award I was delighted to have such a good response. All the nominees truly showed a commitment to their CSR credentials and it is reassuring to know that so many businesses in the Winchester District want to do good as well as do businesses. I am looking forward to meeting my finalists and finding out more about them.”

Osborne Property Services has been nominated in part for its ethos – brilliant service, great people and sustainable relationships. The repairs and maintenance company has worked hard to design a community investment plan, forging relationships with clients, charities and organisations including Tyro Training, Career Development Group and Smart Training to make their work experience placements and job opportunities as accessible as possible to local people.

The Holiday Inn Winchester has long promoted the importance of working closely with community partners, suppliers and like-minded competitors. As well as hosting the WBEA awards launch, it has opened its doors to the Annual Hampshire Fare Sausage and Pie Competition and sponsors Winchester Criterium, Winchester Football Club and Hounds for Heroes. Head chef of the Morn Hill Brasserie, Robert Quehan, took part in a demonstration at the Hampshire Farmers Market and has taught pupils of Toynbee School as part of Local Food School project with Solent EBP.

Established in 1993, Wilding Butler Construction Ltd has focused on providing exceptional customer satisfaction on projects of up to £5m in value throughout Hampshire. The company is the only UK construction company to take part in the European waste project ZeroWIN and it has built a strong relationship with Winchester charity Trinity which began when it was given the contract to develop the centre at Durngate Terrace.

Integr8 Dance Ltd works with a number of children and young people with the aim of making dance accessible to all. They have created a business model ensuring they offer affordable price to everyone, working with over 30 schools to give children an opportunity to dance in a bid to improve confidence, self-esteem, teamwork, self-worth and fitness. Alongside Integr8, they have set up a community group, Winchester Street Dance Academy, which is expected to achieve independent charity status in the forthcoming year.

Lakesmere Ltd is committed to providing positive support to its employees, clients, supply chain and the community. Since 2001 the company has raised over £30,000 for their nominated charity Naomi House Hospice and, for the past eight years, it has been a flagship sponsor of the Osman Tennis club at River Park Leisure Centre. They are members of the Hampshire Ambassadors, a scheme run by Hampshire County Council, which aims to stimulate investment and encourage business development in the county, working environment and employees.