Best Bar None
What is Best Bar None?
Best Bar None is a national award scheme supported by the Home Office and 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 the night time economy, with premises now competing to participate. It has since been adopted by over a hundred towns and cities across the UK and is now being taken up internationally.
The aim of Best Bar None is to reduce alcohol related crime and disorder in a town centre by building a positive relationship between the licensed trade, police and local authorities.
It reduces the harmful effects of binge drinking as well as improves the knowledge and skills of enforcement and regulation agencies, licensees and bar staff to help them responsibly manage licensed premises.
The process of becoming recognised by BBN includes meeting minimum standards and culminates with a high profile award night with category winners and an overall winner.
Responsible operators are recognised and able to share good practice with others. A scheme can also highlight how operating more responsibly can improve the profitability of an individual business and attractiveness of a general area.
Best Bar None in Darlington
Darlington’s ‘Best Bar None’ scheme started in 2010. The first year was a success, with around 15 venues applying for Best Bar None accreditation and for the category awards on offer.
The category winners were:
Best Overall (Best Bar None) Tapas Bar, Bondgate
Best Traditional Pub Railway Tavern, Northgate
Best Independent Tapas Bar, Bondgate
Best Bar Hoskins, Blackwellgate
Best Late night venue Harveys, Richardson's Yard, Houndgate
Best Pub/Club DJ Joseph Pease, Tubwell Row
Best Facilities Tanners Hall, Skinnergate
Best Customer Service Three Crowns, Archer Street
The partnership between the venues, Darlington Council, Darlington Police and Darlington Fire Service is instrumental in the success of the scheme, which main aims are:
- reduce alcohol related crime and disorder in Darlington town centre
- raise the profile of Darlington town centre as a safe place to enjoy a night out
- improve the level of customer service in the night time economy
- boost business for the venues who achieve accreditation
- share good practice and contribute to a consistency of standards across the UK
- build positive relationships between the licensed trade, local authority and police
Darlington Best Bar None 2011
The level of applications has been maintained this year, with a great selection of pubs, bars and clubs applying for Best Bar None status and the increased number of awards on offer.
The venues were assessed by a team of qualified assessors in late summer; there are four main award categories which are:
- Best Overall (Best Bar None)
- Best Traditional Pub
- Best Independent
- Best Bar
These award categories have been judged by an independent panel of judges.
We also wanted the public to get involved and get their views on the venues they go to on a night, and there was a excellent response to an online vote set up to decide the winners of the following four categories: (VOTING NOW CLOSED)
- Best DJ
- Best Facilities
- Best Customer Service
- Best Door Staff Service
Winners of all categories will be announced at an awards ceremony on 10 November.