Raising the Bar

(Date of issue: Friday 11 December 2009)

Which will be the Best Pub or Club Bar None 2010?

Best Bar None 2010 will be launched at a photo opportunity as part of the Pubwatch meeting being held at 3.00pm on Monday 14 December, at Walkabout, Englishgate Plaza, Carlisle.

This is the third year of the accreditation and awards scheme, which focuses on safety and customer care in the pubs, clubs and bars in the districts of Carlisle and Eden. The awards have expanded further this year to include the town of Brampton.

The Best Bar None Scheme was introduced by the Carlisle and Eden Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP), Carlisle and Eden District Council Licensing Officers working in partnership with and the Licensed Trade during 2007.

The awards are designed to establish a standard of excellence within the pubs, clubs and bars in both areas.

The aims of the scheme are:

• To reduce the incidents of crime and disorder associated with the consumption of alcohol
• To promote Carlisle and Penrith as a safe and professional environment in which to live, work, visit and socialise
• To identify and reward responsible licensed premises
• To share good practice with other in order to raise standards

The Best Bar None Awards is now a firm annual event.

CDRP Chairman Jane Muller said:

“Once more we are delighted to be hosting the Best Bar None Awards. This is the third year working with late night entertainment trade in the districts of Carlisle and Eden to raise standards, promote good practice and highlight the good work of responsible licensees.”

Cllr Gareth Ellis, Carlisle City Council portfolio holder for Culture and Community Services said:

“We anticipate that the 2010 Best Bar None Awards will continue to further impact on drink related crime in the area. Once more the licensing trade will have an opportunity to demonstrate that it sets the highest standards by applying best practice in the industry. It is an excellent scheme, because it enables professionals in the industry to be recognised for their good work. By raising standards in licensees are benefiting their City, which has to be good news for everyone, whether they are visitors, residents or people working in Carlisle.”

All pubs, clubs and bars in Carlisle City Centre and Penrith Town Centre will receive a self-assessment application form, which can be returned to their local authority's Best Bar None Team. An appointment can then be made for their premises to be visited by the scheme's assessors. If the visit is successful, they will be entered into one of the following award categories:

• Best Pub
• Best Club
• Best Bar

A distinguished panel of judges made up of senior representatives from local Councils, Media, National Licensing Trade and Cumbria Police will determine the winners, who will be invited to a glitzy awards ceremony being held in May 2010, at Carlisle Racecourse.

Licensed premises that are accredited as part of the Best Bar None Scheme will receive a plaque and certificate for public display and may become eligible for significant reductions in business insurance premiums through a scheme run by the BEDA.

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