| WE’RE THE BEST – BAR NONE! | | Print | |
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Durham City’s Best Bar None scheme, designed to cut alcohol-related crime, create a safer environment in the city centre at night and improve licensed premises, is the best in the UK – bar none. Of the 95 schemes that are in operation throughout the country, Durham’s has been chosen as the most innovative.
And with that accolade has come a £1,500 prize and the honour of hosting a national conference in the city next year. The scheme, a partnership between the police and County Council, started two years ago and 75 per cent of all bars in the city, including those at university colleges, signed up. Carol Feenan, the Best Bar None manager for the Council, said the award, handed out at this year’s annual conference in Leicester, was “absolutely fantastic” and added: “It is a resounding endorsement for all the hard work of the participating licensees.” She and Sgt Steve Norris, Best Bar None manager on the policing side, delivered a presentation on how the scheme is run in Durham – one of four selected finalists to talk to the conference. Sgt Norris added that he was now hoping that the success would encourage the remaining 13 pubs in Durham outside the scheme to now join Best Bar None in the coming year. “Our scheme looks at everything involved in running licensed premises and encourages best practice in as many areas as possible. It has made the city centre a safer and more enjoyable experience and there is now international interest into how these schemes are run.” One feature of the Durham initiative is the continued promotion of the scheme which provides free advertising for those premises which take part and informs the public which premises are accredited by the scheme. This year thousands of posters and “passports” are being distributed which feature a map of the city centre. People can get their passports stamped in participating bars – and get a free T-shirt which in itself is a “walking advert” for Best Bar None. A 27ft wide advertising banner has also been printed which will be displayed at the Prince Bishop shopping centre car park. Both Steve and Carol, who expressed their thanks to all participating licensees and partner agencies involved, are now planning to use some of the £1,500 cash award to help set up a Best Bar None website. |
