Best Bar None - National UK Awards Scheme

11 clubs and bars received accreditation for best practice late last month (20.8), thanks to a new scheme that aims to improve the safety of city centre revellers.

The Best Bar None awards, organised by Lincoln Business Improvement Group (BIG) with funding from Lincolnshire County Council, assess pubs, bars and clubs on a range of safety issues such as whether there is a planned exit strategy in the event of an emergency, effective staff training and the provision of taxi or public transport information.

13 venues entered the inaugural awards with 11 achieving accredited status. Topping the list were Silver Street’s Chicago Rock Cafe and Ritzys which won Best Bar and Best Club respectively.

Shaun Barnett, Evening Economy Manager at Lincoln BIG, said:”The Best Bar None awards are a great way of rewarding venues that go out of their way to help ensure the city centre is a safe environment for everyone looking to enjoy Lincoln’s bustling nightlife.

“This is a great response for a scheme that is only in its first year. In the coming month’s we aim to work with even more bars and clubs across the city centre to help them achieve accreditation in 2009.

“I’d like to congratulate Chicago Rock Cafe and Ritzys for going that extra mile and winning 2008’s Best Bar None awards. I think it’s also important to recognise the nine bars that have contributed to a safer nightlife for city goers and are now Best Bar None accredited.”

The two winning and nine accredited venues were each presented with a plaque in recognition of their achievement.

Sian Newell of the Chicago Rock Cafe said: “Winning the bar category of the Best Bar None Awards is quite an achievement. People like to know that they’re in a safe environment when at a bar or club. Venues often go to great lengths to ensure that this is the case, but it’s not something that customers are always aware of.”

Paul Oloo of Ritzys comments: “With the high volume of customers we receive it is particularly important for us to have an effective safety management system in place. We want people to have the best night out possible and our systems and processes ensure we provide the safest possible environment.”

Shaun added: “The Best Bar None awards take into account the size, as well as the type of venue in its assessment and is free to enter so any of the city’s licensed premises can take part. Entry into next year’s award will begin in March 2009. We hope that even more venues take part in this first class scheme, which has already been highly effective in places like Manchester, Nottingham and Newcastle to name but a few.”