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

The Best Bar None scheme set up to reward licensed premises for good practice in Ipswich and make the town centre safer has been shortlisted for a top award, organisers announced today.

 Best Bar None Ipswich, which was launched in September by Ipswich Borough Council, Suffolk Constabulary and Ipswich Central on behalf of the Local Strategic Partnership, has been chosen as one of four finalists for the national 'Most Innovative Scheme' Award.

Within 24 hours of the launch over 15% of the licensed trade in Ipswich signed up to join Best Bar None. That continues to grow, said Caroline Elias, Ipswich Best Bar None Officer. “Such has been the interest shown by pubs and clubs, social clubs and hotels that we have had to extend the period for applications to the end of November. We are hoping to have around 40 premises signed up by then.”

The scheme for Northampton in 2010 reached its climax on Wed 3^rd November with a Black Tie awards ceremony. Over 100 guests representing the accredited venues, the partnership and responsible authorities gathered at The Cordwainer to celebrate success in the scheme. Awards were presented by Martin Jelley (Asst Ch Constable) and David Carvell (Area Manager - Wetherspoon). Accredited premises received a framed certificate and a plaque to be displayed at their door.

Monday, 1 November saw Janet’s Bar, a small independently owned bar in South Kensington, rise to the challenge of being Best Bar None (BBN) in Kensington and Chelsea.  The scheme, which encourages bars and clubs to address disorder issues, has been running in the Royal Borough since 2008 and Janet’s Bar has been involved since the start, this year scooping the coveted titles of ‘best bar’ and ‘overall winner’ for 2010.

Janet Evans, owner of the bar since 1996 has strived each year to improve the management standards at the premises and, after being awarded BBN membership in 2008, took the runner up title in the bar category in 2009 and now, in 2010, has become a double winner.  

Category winners and runners up are; bar category runner up Olive’s, Millennium Bailey’s Hotel; pub category winner, Builders Arms, runner up The Hour Glass and club category winner, Embargo 59, runner up Notting Hill Arts Club.

Councillor Nick Paget-Brown, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “I am delighted that the Best Bar None scheme continues to go from strength to strength and I would like to congratulate all those who were successful; especially Janet’s Bar which is a deserved winner this year.

“Many of the bars taking part have been committed to the scheme since it began and I would encourage other bars, pubs, clubs and restaurants to take part next year.”

The event took place at Harvey Nichols Fifth Floor Restaurant and was attended by licensees and managers from the qualifying premises.  The Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Councillor James Husband; the Cabinet Member for Environment and Leisure, Nicholas Paget-Brown; other ward Councillors; Lord Rupert Redesdale, Chairman of the Best Bar None National Board and Mark Baird of Diageo GB. 

 A further 43 pubs, bars and clubs borough-wide were awarded membership of the scheme.

Which are Northampton’s best licensed premises?  And who is the best of the best?

The wait will be over for 13 venues next Wednesday when the town centre bar, pub and club judged to provide the most safe and enjoyable environment for their customers are named in the Best Bar None awards.

Best Bar None is a scheme that rewards venues that go the extra mile to show that they are well-managed and take customer safety and the prevention of crime and disorder seriously. 

The scheme was launched by Northampton Pubwatch with support from the Northampton Community Safety Partnership to help create a safer town and recognise the pubs, bars and clubs that are working hard to reduce alcohol related disorder and promote responsible drinking.

Twenty four venues took part and were assessed on a number of criteria including good management, the prevention of crime and disorder and taking wider responsibility on issues like binge drinking.

They were visited by specially trained assessors from Northampton Borough Council and Northamptonshire Police, Northamptonshire Fire & rescue and other partners from across the county and now the winners will be announced at a ceremony at the Cordwainer in the Ridings, Northampton, at 7.30pm on Wednesday 3 November.