About Best Bar None Scheme
Best Bar None strives to make our city a safe and vibrant place to go at night.
Best Bar None is a National Award Scheme supported by the Home Office. It is aimed at promoting responsible management and operation of alcohol licensed premises.
It was piloted in Manchester in 2003 and found to improve standards in pubs, bars, restaurants and nightclubs from early evening and throughout the night, with premises competing to be the Best Bar None. It is currently in place in 55 towns and cities across the UK and is now being taken up internationally.
Best Bar None was launched in Durham City in 2008. Since its launch, businesses have reported increases in sales and footfall, as well as significant decreases in violent crime in the city centre.
Evaluation of last year's scheme showed some licensees reporting more than 25% increase in turnover, and a 15% increase in footfall (in comparison with 2008), and a yearly decrease in violence.
Our objectives of running the Best Bar None scheme in Durham city are to:
- Reduce the risk of alcohol related harm, disorder and crime.
- Establish a standard of good practice in licensed bars, pubs, nightclubs and restaurants.
- Identify and reward responsible managers and share good practice with others.
- Ensure that accredited premises manage their venue with the management standards that must be in place, to be legally operating to meet the objectives of the 2003 Licensing Act.
- Improve knowledge and skills of enforcement and regulation agencies (for example, the police and fire services, licensing, environmental health, trading standards), licensees and bar staff to help them responsibly manage licensed premises, and understand how this can:
- reduce alcohol related crime and disorder
- minimise the harmful effects of binge drinking
- improve profitability of premises and the attractiveness of our city centre
- Raise public awareness of the benefits of choosing to visit a well run licensed premises.
- Work positively and in partnership with our licensees and the police.
- Improve the attractiveness and appeal of socialising in Durham city.
The Best Bar None scheme promotes our city as a safe and vibrant place to go at night. Also:
- It shows everyone's willingness to address alcohol related crime and anti-social behaviour through the promotion of good practice and education.
- The Home Office acknowledges that this scheme has a positive effect on the night time economy.
- It promotes a partnership approach to resolving issues.
Partners in the scheme
- Durham County Council
- Durham City Centre Management
- Licensing
- Alcohol Harm Reduction Group
- Durham Constabulary
- County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service
- The British Institute of Inn-Keeping
- National Pubwatch
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