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

A successful scheme to promote responsible drinking is to be launched in a fourth County Durham town.

Best Bar None, which already operates in Durham, Chester-le-Street and Consett is to begin in Bishop Auckland. 

The initiative aims to reduce the risk of alcohol-related crime and disorder and promote a safer, more vibrant night-time environment in participating towns. 

The Bishop Auckland scheme will be launched tomorrow (Thursday, 3 February), when licensees from all four areas will come together at the Ramside Hall Hotel, Durham for a Bonanza Launch for all of the county’s Best Bar None schemes for 2011. 

The event will give managers and staff from 128 venues the chance to meet up with representatives from Durham County Council, the police and other agencies and swap tips on best practice.

Best Bar None is a national accreditation scheme, recognised as best practice by the Home Office and the industry.   It’s aimed at all licensed premises which are assessed on criteria such as door and security policies, how they deal with abusive customers and what systems they have in place to deal with alcohol related crime, resulting in a safer environment for staff and customers alike. It’s a free “health check” for licensed premises.

With sponsorship from Bacardi Brown-Forman Brands, Anthony Collins Solicitors and Birmingham’s City Centre Partnership, Birmingham is now in its fourth year of the scheme, which is run by Birmingham City Council, in partnership with West Midlands Police and West Midlands Fire Service.

Not only is Birmingham’s scheme unique in that it’s city-wide, but it also takes account of Birmingham as a conference city, hence the introduction of the “hotel bar” category. In 2010 the “University/Student Bar” category was introduced for the first time in recognition of Birmingham’s many universities and colleges and we hope that even more student bars will apply for accreditation this year.

As well as an overall winner – Best Bar None – there will be winners and finalists in eight categories: best city centre pub; best suburban pub; best city centre bar; best suburban bar; best nightclub; best hotel bar; best independent venue and best university/student bar.  With the help of our media partners, BRMB, members of the public also have the chance to vote for their “best bar none” from the shortlisted venues during July and August, by going on-line and voting via the BRMB website.

The Home Office, the Association of Town Centre Management, Best Bar None, and the Wine and Spirit Trade Association are proud to announce the launch the full agenda for their joint conference – Is Big Society a Partnership? Alcohol, Partnership and Evidence, taking place on 15^th March 2011, at the QEII Conference Centre, Westminster, London.

 This conference is generously sponsored by Diageo GB, JD Wetherspoon, Molson Coors and Bacardi Brown-Forman Brands and will provide delegates with the most up to date picture of Government thinking and enable key players in the industry to share their reactions to this. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about new evidence, and compelling reasons on how to improve the night time economy.

 As well as guaranteeing a Keynote presentation from a Senior Member of Parliament or Minister, the high profile line up includes; an insight into 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. An insight into the challenges of tackling the worst of the night time economy from Lesley Pulman, Community Activist, and Regular Television and Radio contributor. and Chief Constable Jon Stoddart, ACPO lead, Durham Constabulary

Doncaster Council’s Best Bar None scheme celebrated the town's success with a celebratory awards night at Keepmoat Stadium on Monday 24^th January.

The awards night, which rewards licensees for the safe and responsible management of licensed premises, saw guests dressed up for the theme of “Chicago The Musical”.

More than 300 guests and licensees attended the night, which was hosted by Doncaster radio station Sine FM and sponsored by John Smiths, Britvic and Highfield ABC . A charity fund organised by Best Bar None managers raised £2560, which will be donated to The Aurora Centre.

The overall 2011 Doncaster Best Bar None Winners award went to Manana Manana and was presented by Mayor of Doncaster Peter Davies. The Bradford Row venue also scooped the best town centre Bar award.