BUSINESSES which put something back into their community are to be celebrated in a new award launched for The Press Business Awards 2011.

The Best Business and Community Link Award has been sponsored by Benenden Healthcare Society, which itself supports the local community in a variety of ways.

Marc Bell, director of marketing and development at Benenden, said: “Benenden Healthcare is really pleased to be able to join up with The Press and support this great category. It’s vitally important for businesses to make a positive contribution to the local community and show their support of the area in which they operate.”

He said the award not only recognises good-hearted intentions, but good business.

“Businesses with thriving community relations programmes will often find a great return on investment through improved brand reputation and improved morale of their workforce,” he said.

“As a mutual organisation, where people come together for a common purpose, being an active part of a community is a vital part of Benenden Healthcare’s ethos.

“The past couple of years have been a turning point for our own work in the community and we now confidently support local organisations in a range of ways through fundraising, supporting projects and supporting major local events. With that in mind, we felt that this year’s awards would be a great opportunity to recognise the community work of other businesses in York and reward their own efforts.”

The new category will look for businesses which have forged positive links with the local community, enabling them to provide long-term value to the recipients of their support.

It is one of two new awards, and the 2011 ceremony will celebrate the achievement’s of York’s retailers too in the new Retailer Of The Year Award, sponsored by McArthurGlen York Designer Outlet. The 14 prestigious awards will be presented in a glittering ceremony on November The deadline for entries is July 11. Visit thepressbusinessawards.co.uk to enter.