Best Bar None - the UK's national awards scheme for best practice in the licensed trade

Licensees aim for the Premier League at Keepmoat Stadium.

Licensees and guests from all over Doncaster were at Keepmoat Stadium for the launch of the 2011 Best Bar None (BBN) awards scheme on Tuesday 3^rd August.

Doncaster Best Bar None, now in its fifth year, is a nationally recognised awards scheme, which rewards licensees for the safe and responsible management of licensed premises.  There has been a massive impact over the last four years with the introduction of Best Bar None and a phenomenal 70% reduction in alcohol related incidents in the bars, pubs and clubs that have been accredited by the scheme.

This is great news not only for the customers who can take comfort in the fact that when they visit a Best Bar None venue, they are in safe hands, but also for the licensees who by offering this sort of environment and being accredited by the scheme, can see a significant increase in return custom to their establishment.

Safer Doncaster Partnership is working with Best Bar None towards the shared aim of focusing on safe and responsible management of licensed premises with the ultimate intention of offering and maintaining a much safer and welcoming town.

The launch at Keepmoat Stadium, who were last years Best Leisure Venues and Overall Winners of BBN, received an extremely positive response with a great deal of interest in the scheme and the benefits that go with it.

Representatives of Pubwatch schemes from across the borough were amongst the guests who also enjoyed a buffet lunch provided by HABC accompanied by a drinks reception courtesy of sponsors John Smiths and Britvic. 

Speakers at the event included Mayor Davis who said “Even in the current economic climate, Doncaster has a thriving Night Time Economy, both in the Town Centre and in the outlying towns.  This is testament to the hard work carried out by everyone involved, to ensure that people keep returning.  Through their commitment to Best Bar None, licensees are helping to ensure that Doncaster’s reputation as South Yorkshire’s best and safest night out keeps on improving”.

Chief Inspector Andy Kent said “The Best Bar None campaign has been a big success and a 70% drop in alcohol-related incidents within the BBN venues proves that. We hope that this year we’ll get more establishments than ever before signing up to the scheme to ensure we can continue to make sure Doncaster’s residents enjoy a safe night out.”

Lee Le Clerqc the regional secretary for the licensed trade association BBPA added "The British Beer & Pub Association has been involved with the Best Bar None initiative for many years.  We recognise that it enhances the quality of licensed venues in many respects and rightly rewards hard-working licensees and their staff who operate these superior premises.     Doncaster has been at the forefront of developments in Best Bar None and, with a strong commitment from its local authority as well as the trade, it rates as one of the most successful schemes in the country.  We are pleased to be associated with it."

Over the last twelve months, BBN has provided 18 training courses, which have helped over 300 managers, staff and licensing officers to deliver an enhanced service to customers.  Courses are now delivered on a monthly basis in conjunction with Atteys solicitors, the next courses will be first aid and licensing law.