A WINCHESTER hotel has confirmed it will not enter this year’s Winchester Business Excellence Awards in order to let others lay claim to the prize.

The Holiday Inn, based in Morn Hill, was presented with the Winchester City Council Carbon Smart Business of the year award at a prestigious ceremony at the Guildhall last June.

It has gone on to win several other awards in the months since.

But general manager Siobhan Thomasson said the company wants to focus on continually improving and give other companies across the district the chance to win the coveted accolade.

“[Winning the award] has been thanks to our ongoing commitment really,” Ms Thomasson said. “From the first day, prior to opening, we have always had it as a focus and everybody who has come here gets on board and we are always looking at ways to improve.”

Most recently the hotel opened up its onsite electric car charger to nearby residents as well as its guests in an effort to reduce carbon emissions across the rolling Hampshire countryside.

It is also looking into solar energy by taking advantage of its large flat roof to boost the hotel’s productivity.

“If we have to do something now we look at how we can make it as sustainable as possible,” she added. “So when we refurbished the gym we looked at how to put electricity back into the grid. It’s not about spending as much money as possible – and we’re certainly not about wasting money – but it’s about what will benefit us and the community.”

The group has also joined the Business Collective to meet like-minded people and expand their contacts for future development.

Ms Thomasson added: “Having been a winner [of the awards] has really opened doors for us and put us into contact with other people from the community.”