Which will be the Best Pub or Club Bar None in Carlisle City Centre and Penrith Town Centre?

A seminar is being held on Friday 18 January at the Civic Centre between 2.00pm and 4.30pm in the Flensburg Room to introduce the scheme to members of the licensed trade and go through the application process. Mary Robinson Chair of the CDRP, Chief Supt Andy Davidson and Cllr David Morton Chair of the Carlisle Licensing Committee will open the event. A photo opportunity will be held prior to the event at 1.45pm.

Several venues have already taken the plunge and have signed up, the first Carlisle venue was Walkabout and Toppers the first in Penrith. The Best Bar None awards focus on safety and customer care with the ultimate aim of finding the best pub, club or bar in Carlisle City Centre and Penrith Town Centre.

The scheme is being introduced by the Carlisle and Eden Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP), Carlisle and Eden District Council Licensing Officers working in partnership with the Licensed Trade. The awards seek to establish a standard of excellence within the pubs, clubs and bars in both areas.

The initiative aims to reward licensees, who provide good management, a safe and enjoyable environment for customers, discourage binge-drinking and prevent alcohol-related crime. It will encourage licensees to act responsibly and take pride in their premises and surroundings and, in doing so, put something back into the city and town centres and their local community. Knock-on effects include the prestige of being part of the awards scheme, increasing business within an area and generating wealth for the local economy arising from a quality offer and as a result of operating safer premises.

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 CDRP are planning to make the Best Bar None Awards an annual event, CDRP Chairman Mary Robinson said:

"We are delighted to be working with late night entertainment trade in Carlisle City Centre and Penrith Town Centre to raise standards, promote good practice and highlight the good work of responsible licensees."

Cllr David Morton, Chair of the Carlisle City Council Licensing Committee said:

 "We anticipate Best Bar None will have a significant impact on drink related crime in the area. 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, licensees are benefiting their City, which has to be good news for everyone, whether they are visitors, residents or people working in Carlisle."

North Cumbria Chief Supt Andy Davidson said:

‘’The Carlisle & Eden CDRP is committed to reducing crime and disorder in both Districts. We are excited by the opportunity to support this innovative project. Best Bar None will be an excellent opportunity to work with licensed premises, building on the great work that the Multi Agency Problem Solving Unit and partners are doing to ensure that North Cumbria is a safer place in which to live, work and visit.’’

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 an awards ceremony in May this year.

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