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

More than 100 pub, club and bar licensees from across Doncaster have been invited to enter a successful scheme aimed at keeping customers and visitors safe.

The award-winning Best Bar None (BBN) scheme is in its sixth year in Doncaster and rewards members for creating a safe and responsible environment for customers.

Licensees and guests gathered at Manana Manana, the 2011 overall winners and winners in the Best Bar category, to launch the nationally-recognised scheme.

Best Bar None also provides accredited training courses for staff across Doncaster and over the last twelve months has run almost 40 training courses, which have helped over 500 managers and staff to deliver an enhanced service to customers. Courses are now delivered on a monthly basis in conjunction with Highfield Awarding Body for Compliance (HABC) and the next courses will focus on first aid and licensing law. 

The launch at Manana Manana received an extremely positive response with a great deal of interest in the scheme and the benefits that go with it. Members often see an increase in trade following winning awards through Best Bar None.

Councillor Cynthia Ransome, Cabinet Member for Communities, said: “Best Bar None is an excellent example of what we can achieve when we work closely with partners and the community. It’s a real credit to Doncaster and what better way to attract visitors to the town than showing them that they can enjoy the best night out in South Yorkshire knowing that everyone is working hard to keep them safe.”

Chief Inspector Ian Bint said: "Best Bar None is a great scheme that not only provides reassurance for the customer, who can take comfort in the fact that should they visit a Best Bar None venue, they are in a safe and relaxed environment , but also for the licensees who may witness an increase in custom to their establishment through being accredited by the scheme.  Working in partnership has proved very positive, and we look forward to recognising more licensees for their commitment to making our town a more attractive place for people to visit."

Mike Wroe, Director of Business Development at Highfield Awarding Body for Compliance (HABC), said: “We at HABC believe in Doncaster and South Yorkshire and we are extremely proud to support Doncaster Best Bar None as it is recognised nationally as being both innovative and delivering positive results for businesses and the regulators.”

David McIvor, Owner of Manana Manana, said: “We’re proud to be involved in Best Bar None and, having won it three times, are pleased to be a key part of such an important and successful scheme.”

Doncaster Best Bar None is kindly sponsored by drinks companies Britvic and Diageo.