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

The shortlist of the 2010 Best Bar None awards has been announced.

The city-wide scheme, now in its third year, promotes a safer and more responsible pub culture in the city, by rewarding good management which discourages binge-drinking and helps to prevent alcohol related crime.

Winners will be announced at the Awards ceremony on Thursday 16th September at the ICC.

Bacardi Brown Forman is the principal sponsor of the scheme, a partnership between Birmingham City Council, West Midlands Fire Service and West Midlands Police.

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.

This year half of the bars and clubs in Kensington and Chelsea have entered the annual Best Bar None competition, organised by the Council in conjunction with the Metropolitan Police and funded by Diageo GB and Soundsec Security.

The scheme recognises and rewards venues that maintain good management standards, are committed to delivering a relaxed environment for an evening or night out and are dedicated to working with the local authority, police and other agencies to ensure the venue and its surroundings are attractive and welcoming.

There are 120 eligible premises and 60 of these have entered this year, the largest number to date.  Those that meet the standards set by the scheme will be awarded Best Bar None membership and receive a certificate and window stickers to display at the premises.  They will also be included in a guide that will be distributed throughout the borough.

The best premises will be put forward to an independent judging panel that will decide which premises reflect outstanding management practices for each category: Best Pub, Best Bar, Best Club and an overall scheme winner.

Councillor Nicholas Paget-Brown, Cabinet Member for Leisure, said: “This is the third year that we have run the Best Bar None scheme and it is encouraging to see continued growth in the number of premises that want to be associated with it.

“It is a great opportunity for businesses to gain an advantage over their competitors as customers know they will be guaranteed a high level of service in a good environment and neighbours can rest assured they will not be disturbed at night.”

Mark Baird, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, Diageo GB, said: “Diageo is delighted to be sponsoring the Royal Borough’s Best Bar None scheme for the third year running. Best Bar None is a great way to recognise excellence and responsible retailing within the licensed trade and the fact that half the premises are now entering the scheme is testament to its continued success and perceived value.”

To find out more about the scheme, and premises which are current members, go to www.rbkc.gov.uk/bestbarnone or call 020 7341 5708

100^th scheme announced

It’s true, Oldham is the 100^th Best Bar None (BBN) scheme.

We are delighted to welcome Oldham as part of the scheme knowing that they are committing to respectable and responsible measures to improve the night time economy using the tried and tested BBN.

BBN is a nationally recognised award scheme supported by the Home Office and aimed at promoting responsible management and operation of alcohol licensed premises. It was piloted in Manchester in 2003 and found to improve standards and reduce crime in the night time economy, with premises now competing to participate.

Oldham’s reputation for a rowdy night out has cast a shadow over the town for some time now. The town also appears as one of the top 50 priority areas from the Home Office. It was agreed new steps were needed to improve the town and night time economy. Over the last few months Oldham has been working hard at reducing crime & disorder and turning around the negative national image that has been portrayed.

Detective Sergeant John Murdoch said” We are complementing our other approaches to the night time economy with the proven success of Best Bar None”

Various initiatives have now been put into place with BBN being one of the final pieces to be added to the jigsaw for a safe, vibrant and enjoyable night out in Oldham.