Pub and club awards set to serve up safer city nightlife
30/05/06
Pubs and clubs in Aberdeen will compete for prestigious awards as part of a drive to make the city’s nightlife safer and promote sensible drinking.
The Best Bar None awards and accreditation scheme aims to reduce the risk of alcohol related harm, disorder and crime within the city centre and to establish a benchmark of good practice in licensed premises.
Bars, pubs and clubs will be assessed and inspected on dozens of criteria, along four main themes – prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, prevention of public nuisance and protection of children from harm.
Those that meet a certain standard will be accredited – with only the very best attaining top awards.
The approach has already been successful in Manchester and Glasgow – where competition for accreditation and awards has been fierce, bringing benefits to businesses, customers and community safety partners. It will be run locally by Safer Aberdeen, with sponsorship from drinks giant Diageo.
Today, Chief Superintendent Albert Donald, Divisional Commander of Aberdeen Division, stressed the project's potential to cut disorder in the city centre.
He said: "Over the past year, a total of 2,802 crimes of an antisocial or violent nature were recorded within Aberdeen city centre, and, of these, a total of 2,067 offenders were either drunk or had been drinking - an increase of 11% from the previous year.”
“The Best Bar None scheme is not merely about bar and club owners slavishly complying with licensing legislation, but about them working together with partners in a shared vision to make Aberdeen city centre safer and more welcoming.”
Councillor Martin Greig, Chair of the Aberdeen Community Safety Partnership, added: "I firmly believe that, by promoting good management and socially responsible drinking, Aberdeen’s city centre bars and clubs can play a major part in regenerating and reinvigorating our community."
About Best Bar None
Aberdeen is rightly proud of its vibrant nightlife – and the city's Community Safety partners want to help the licensed trade be at its best.
Best Bar None is a new accreditation scheme that aims to recognise and reward those pubs, bars and clubs in Aberdeen that provide a safe, responsible environment in which people can enjoy themselves.
Originally developed by Greater Manchester Police, the approach has been shown to cut down on alcohol-related crime and irresponsible drinking and is a national and international benchmark of good practice.
Licensees
These are your awards – and the benefits that come from being a winner could be invaluable for your business.
Best Bar None recognises, rewards and promotes responsible management and operation of licensed premises, with the ultimate aim of maintaining a safe and enjoyable drinking experience for those that live, work and play in Aberdeen.
Bars, pubs and clubs will be judged on strict criteria for accreditation - and in competition for the prestigious title of Best Bar None in their chosen category.
Customers
Best Bar None aims to reward venues that are well managed and take your safety and enjoyment seriously.
Pubs, bars and clubs wishing to participate will be asked to complete an application form and will undergo inspection by trained assessors drawn from various professions.
Successful applicants will receive accreditation, receiving a plaque and certificate for display – helping you make a positive choice for safe night out.
Partners
The scheme is run by the Safer Aberdeen programme and sponsored by Diageo plc - the world's biggest multinational beer, wine and spirits company. It is backed by Grampian Police, Aberdeen City Council and Think Safe, Drink Safe.
