Raising the Bar

(Date of issue: Thursday 2 April 2009)

Awards Scheme’s Assessors Go Out and About to Find the Best Bar None

Best Best None’s Assessors are out with their clipboards in April as they visit town centre pubs and clubs in Carlisle and Penrith with the aim of finding the Best licensed premises in the two areas Bar None.

A photo opportunity has been arranged at the Terminal 1 at 3pm on Monday 6 April as the countdown to the Best Bar None awards evening on Tuesday 19 May begins. Police Sergeant Richard Higgin and Chris Langhorn Premises Supervisor at Terminal 1 will be available for pictures and interview about the scheme and what it means for those involved.

Jim Messenger, Carlisle City Council’s Licensing Manager said:

"Thirty-four licensees from the city and town centre pubs, clubs and bars in Carlisle, Penrith and Appleby have entered the Best Bar None Scheme and by the end of April, will have had their premises assessed as part of Awards’ accreditation process.

“The assessments are carried out by trained staff from Cumbria Police, Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service and the two local involved Councils. They will be looking to see that the premises operate in a way that promotes the licensing objectives – to prevent anti-social behaviour, crime and disorder, public nuisance, and promotes public safety and the protection of children.

“It is hoped that most premises will achieve the basic Best Bar None Accreditation standard, which will allow them to display a plaque at the premises, however, premises who have very high standards of operation will be identified by the assessment and will go forward as a nominee for the Best Bar None Award Winner for their particular category and may even become the Best Bar None for Carlisle or Eden.”

The Carlisle and Eden Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) are one of 80 UK towns and cities to adopt the Best Bar None scheme, which is backed by the Home Office and British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) and aims to promote responsible management and operation of alcohol-licensed premises with the ultimate intention of offering and maintaining a safer, more welcoming, attractive and lively drinking experience.

Chris Langhorn Premises Supervisor at Terminal 1 said:

“Terminal 1 is set to go through the assessment process. We have policies, procedures and risk assessments in place that demonstrates the high standards in our premises. Best Bar None is an excellent scheme that has and continues to raise the standards of licensed premises in Carlisle.”

CDRP Chairman Cllr Mary Robinson said:

“I am delighted with the response of local licensees to the Best Bar None Awards Scheme, which encourages licensees to act responsibly and take pride in their premises and surroundings and, in doing so, put something back into the their town / city and local community. The scheme has gone from strength to strength, part of a package of measures designed to drive down anti-social behaviour in both districts.’’

Carlisle City Cllr Ray Bloxham, portfolio holder for Environment and Infrastructure said:

‘’The rewards for licensees include, the prestige of being part of the awards scheme, increased business within the area and lower insurance premiums resulting from the fact that they are running safer establishments. The biggest winners of the Awards Scheme are local people and visitors, who benefit from a more welcoming, attractive, lively and above all safe place to visit.’’

Final judging of Best Bar None each category will take place in early May and accredited premises and category winners will be announced at the awards ceremony at Carlisle Racecourse on Tuesday19 May 2009.

For more information about the Best Bar None Scheme contact Carlisle City Council’s Licensing Department on tel: (01228) 817523 or email: licensing@carlisle.gov.uk