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

THE Pavilions has become the first Plymouth venue to receive this year's City Safe accreditation plaque.

The entertainment complex already has a plaque proudly displayed in its foyer but City Safe's has to be renewed every year.

The plaque recognises those venues that have passed a rigorous annual inspection process.

The new plaques are emblazoned with the date 2011.

City Safe chairman Mick McDonnell said about 40 bars have passed the accreditation this year but the Pavilions is the first to receive the plaque.

The rest will receive theirs at an event which is still in the pipeline, likely to feature council leader Vivien Pengelly

The first Best Bar None Regional Conference will take place on 21 June 2011 at Leeds Metropolitan University.

 The conference will feature various presentations introducing Best Bar None and how it can improve/benefit the night–time economy

 Neil Robertson, Best Bar None Chief Executive, said, “This will be an exciting conference as it will be the first one of it’s kind for Best Bar None. With new licensing legislation and the cuts that all partners have felt over recent months, those wanting to be part of the Best Bar None scheme can learn the real benefits and how improving the night-time economy rewards us all.”

 There is no charge for this conference, but places are limited, so please book early.

 To book, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with your full contact details.

Bacardi Brown-Forman Brands, Diageo, Heineken and Molson Coors pledge half a million pounds to further bolster Best Bar None scheme

 LONDON 10 MAY 2011: Bacardi Brown-Forman Brands, Diageo, Heineken and Molson Coors today announced half a million pounds worth of funding for the Best Bar None scheme to help tackle alcohol related crime. This investment will help to guarantee the future of the Best Bar None programme which works with bars and pubs across England and Wales to promote responsible management.

The £500,000 investment pledged by the leading drinks companies will support the next stage of Best Bar None’s development over three years. In particular it will fund the set-up of twenty new Best Bar None schemes across the country, especially in disadvantaged areas, along with strengthening existing schemes. The drinks industry partners are working with the Government and other stakeholders to include their commitment to Best Bar None as an additional pledge for The Responsibility Deal.

Best Bar None is a national award programme which promotes responsible management and operation of alcohol licensed premises. It aims to reduce alcohol related crime and disorder in town centres right across the country. In particular it provides a framework for training on enforcing proof of age policies, along with building relationships between the licensed trade, police and local authorities to reduce crime and improve safety. The programme is supported by the Home Office and British Institute of Innkeeping (BII), the professional body for the licensed retail sector, as well as the drinks industry.

Organised jointly by The Home Office, the Association of Town Centre Management, Best Bar None, and the Wine and Spirit Trade Association the Is Big Society a Partnership? Alcohol, Partnership and Evidence Conference held yesterday, 15^th March 2011, at the QEII Conference Centre, Westminster, London, saw industry heavy weights take on some of the hottest questions around alcohol in the community.

Sponsored by Bacardi Brown-Forman Brands, Diageo GB, JD Wetherspoon and Molson Coors, the event provided delegates with the most up to date picture of Government thinking and key players in the industry shared their reactions to the latest challenges the trade faces.

Opened by David Oliver, Head of Drugs and Alcohol, The Home Office, attendees heard that in his new post David Oliver will be ‘getting out into the industry’ to hear directly from retailers, partner organisations and public sector bodies to see how we can work together on the areas that need addressing, and vowed to continue to support the ‘freedom from fear’ ethos stating that staff retailing in the trade ‘deserve to work in a safe environment’.

The high profile line up included a well received insight into alcohol related health issues from Adrian Boyle, Consultant in Emergency Medicine at Addenbrookes Hospital - Cambridge, Honorary Research Fellow at Cambridge University & Chair of the College of Emergency Medicine's Best Practice Committee. Adrian shared evidence of the value of Community Safety Partnerships in tackling alcohol related health issues, citing a 30% decrease in the number of people requiring treatment related to alcohol related health issues, and a 20% decrease in the number of city centre assaults in Cambridge since their CSP was established.

Scott Wilson, Molson Coors pledged his support to Best Bar None and Vicki Nobles, Diageo GB addressed the Big Society debate stating that the development of Big Society agenda recognises that the government can’t do everything and that action on the problems needs to addressed jointly and that a partnership approach is the way forward.