Best Bar None Award Scheme
Owner / Author:
Glasgow City Council
Organisation:
Community Planning / Safety Partnerships
Contact Details:
Strategy / Initiative Name:
Best Bar None Award Scheme
Local Authority(ies):
Glasgow City
Group Targeted:
Pubs, nightclubs and bars
Crime Type / Violence Activity:
Drugs/Alcohol Related
Level(s):
Primary
Aims:
The Best Bar None Awards Scheme was considered as part of a wider package of projects to work together with Pubs, Nightclubs and Bars to create a safer and more welcoming city centre environment. The award scheme focuses on safety and customer care and gives each licensed venue an opportunity to prove that it meets a certain standard of operation, which has been set in consultation with the government and alcohol industry at a national level. Improved monitoring of licence condition compliance.
Aims of the scheme include:
- Reduction of irresponsible drinks promotions thereby reducing binge drinking and antisocial behaviour.
- Setting of minimum standards of management within licensed premises.
- Encouragement of interaction between the licensing sector and Strathclyde Police to identify and rectify issues of concern.
- Reduction of crime and the fear of crime within licensed premises within Glasgow City Centre.
- Improvement of customer and staff safety within licensed premises.
- Enhancement of Glasgow's reputation as the entertainment capital of the West of Scotland.
Approach:
This scheme involved a partnership approach through the City of Glasgow Community Safety Partnership.
Project's Methodology:
There are three categories of licensed premises involved in the initiative, Pubs, Bars and Night Clubs. The scheme rewards safe and well-managed licensed venues with the issue of a plaque and accreditation certificate (Bronze Award). Premises which demonstrate a higher degree of action to reduce crime and improve customer care, receive a 'Finalist' award (Silver Award) and a 'Best Overall Premises' for each category (Gold Award) is considered from those award winners. The scheme has been widely accepted by the licensed trade in the city.
A number of preparatory meetings were held between Glasgow's Safer City Centre Initiative, Strathclyde Police, Glasgow's Night Club Forum and BEDA Scotland, with a view to developing appropriate paperwork for the Glasgow scheme. All documentation for the scheme carries the logos of the agencies involved and the scheme was sponsored by Diageos who have given a total of £12,500 per annum for three years. An administration fee of £20 was also charged for each application and retained by the Safer City Centre Initiative.
The initiative was launched at the Corinthian Hotel in Glasgow on 24th June 2005 and was attended by a number of dignitaries and chaired by Councillor James Coleman. In 2005 a total of 250 licensed premises were invited to take part.
Following receipt of application, the Licensing Department of Strathclyde Police carried out inspections of sites and scored each application. The top 5 performing premises in each category were identified to receive a silver award and a panel of judges, including MSP Pauline McNeill, Phil Walker, Community Services and Superintendent Alan Madden made a decision on the recipients of Gold Awards.
Other Agencies Involved:
Licensing department of Strathclyde Police.
Evaluation Process:
Application forms are in booklet style and applicants are expected to answer a number of key questions about the operation of the premises in respect of a variety of topics including:
- Prevention of Crime and Disorder
- Public Safety
- Prevention of Public Nuisance
- Protection of People from Harm, and
- Other General Issues
Evaluation Impact:
The awards ceremony was held at the SAS Radisson Hotel to recognise the efforts of successful applicant premises which were presented with a certificate and an award for display at the premises. A total of 39 licensed venues in the city received awards as follows:
Pub Category 4 Bronze, 3 Silver and 1 Gold
Bar Category 9 Bronze, 4 Silver and 1 Gold
Night Club Category 12 Bronze, 4 Silver and 1 Gold
The entire process has generated considerable interest and enthusiasm within the licensed trade and the wider community in Glasgow. The scheme is an excellent example of partnership working with no conflict between the scheme and the proposals of the Nicholson Committee. Glasgow's involvement in such a scheme in no way interferes with statutory obligations under the Licensing (Scotland) Act and forms a key initiative in the strategic business plan of the Safer City Centre Initiative.
Evaluation Result:
Effective
Criticism:
N/a.
Potential:
In 2006 the scheme was rolled out to a number of other Scottish Cities and Towns under the Safer Cities Programme. The scheme forms a significant opportunity for each initiative to meet its primary objective of reducing crime and the fear of crime while extending its field of operation into evening and night time activities. Additionally the scheme contributes significantly towards many of the proposals made by the Nicholson Committee and will help generate a more positive image of Scottish Cities Night Time economies.
