A pint of your finest

Best Bar None

(Date of issue: Wednesday, 12 May 2010)

The results of the third annual Carlisle and Eden District Best Bar None awards were announced last night (Tuesday, 11 May) at a glitzy awards ceremony held at Carlisle Racecourse.

The Best Bar None accreditation and awards scheme focuses on safety and customer care, as well as helping to raise standards in the licensed trade. The assessors carried out their inspections in March and April in Carlisle, Brampton and Penrith, with the aim of finding the best licensed premises. In addition, customers were also able to vote for their favourite premises via the CFM Radio website.

All participating premises were invited to attend the awards ceremony. Licensed premises, accredited as part of the Best Bar None Scheme, received a plaque and certificate for public display and they may now become eligible for significant reductions in business insurance premiums through a scheme run by the BEDA.

In total 29 premises applied to take part in the Best Bar None Scheme in Carlisle District, including five from Brampton. Twelve premises applied in Eden District. The results are as follows:

• Carlisle Best Pub – The Turf Inn, Newmarket Road
• Carlisle Best Bar – Unit Bar, English Gate Plaza
• Carlisle Best Club – Walkabout, English Gate Plaza
• Brampton Best Premises – Shoulder of Mutton, Front Street
• CFM Radio People’s Choice Carlisle – Unit Bar, English Gate Plaza
• Eden Best Pub – The General Wolfe
• Eden Best Bar – The Lounge
• Eden Best Club – The Warehouse
• Eden Best Rural premises – Kings Arms, Shap
• CFM Radio People’s Choice Eden – The Board & Elbow

The overall winner of Best Bar None for the Carlisle area – Walkabout and the overall winner of Best Bar None for the Penrith area – The General Wolfe.

The Best Bar None scheme was introduced to our area in 2008 by the Carlisle and Eden Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP), working with the Late Night Entertainment Industry. The aim was to establish a standard of excellence within the pubs, clubs and bars. The scheme aims 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; and
• To share good practice with other in order to raise standards.

Carol Hammon from Walkabout said:

‘‘Winning this award means everything to me, I didn’t expect it. I couldn’t have done this without the support and hard work of all of my staff and the door security team. It’s nice to be recognised for the all the hard work we put into running the place.’’

Leader of Carlisle City Council, Cllr Mike Mitchelson, said:

“I am delighted with the response of local licensees to the Best Bar None Awards Scheme. Congratulations to the Best Bar None overall winner for Carlisle and District. This scheme encourages licensees to act responsibly and take pride in their premises and surroundings and, in doing so, put something back into their town / city and local community.”

“The effort of all of the participants is highly commendable bringing lots of rewards for licensees including, the prestige of being part of the awards scheme, increased business in the area and lower insurance premiums resulting from the fact that they are running safer establishments. However 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.’’

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