Cumbria shortlisted for ‘Best New Scheme’ in Best Bar None Awards

Cumbria’s Best Bar None scheme has been shortlisted for the ‘Best New Scheme’ in the prestigious Best Bar None Awards, it has been announced. The next round of judging will take place in January, before the winner is announced at a ceremony held in the House of Lords on Tuesday 4th February.

The scheme has only been running for 10-months, after launching in February this year. Cumbria will face stiff competition from Worcester and Havering, as to which scheme has had the biggest impact on its community in its first years of activity.

There have been a record nine regional finalists announced ahead of this instalment of the awards, with each of the three categories, Best Overall Scheme, Most Innovative Scheme and Best New Scheme, seeing a year on year increase in the number successful entries.

Best Bar None was introduced to Cumbria to benefit the evening and night-time economy by improving safety and vigilance amongst the region’s personal license holders. The scheme originally set out to accredit 12 venues in its first year, but it has already outstripped that goal, boasting 17 sites on its books by November.

The fledgling scheme has also teamed up with Age Concern to better support the region’s elderly community, providing food, warmth and companionship over the winter months.

Scott Adams, the scheme’s co-coordinator for Cumbria, said: “We’ve already seen measurable reductions in crime across Cumbria since we launched our Best Bar None scheme, and that’s only in a few months. Mitch Franks, my fellow coordinator, and I are really looking forward to what we can achieve in our second year of running the scheme.

“We’ve had great feedback from the venues that have joined Best Bar None so far, as well as our local police. Everyone is really happy with the general feeling of cooperation between the evening and night-time economy trade and the local authorities.”

Lord Smith of Hindhead, Philip Smith, Chairman of Best Bar None, said: “It is always fantastic to see such a good turnout for our annual awards. I want to highlight the importance of commending those schemes that are doing such a wonderful job. The impact that Best Bar None has in towns and cities today – making them safer and more desirable places to go – is relevant and valuable to the entire Hospitality Industry and it is everyone on the ground who we have to thank for that.

“It is particularly encouraging to see Cumbria represented for the first time this year. it just goes to show that new schemes are continuing to pop up across the country to have an immediate impact on the local community, while building strong and proactive relationships with their local authorities – which is exactly what we want from Best Bar None.”

Best Bar None is a Home Office-backed scheme that sees the alcohol industry working collaboratively with local authorities and the police to promote responsible drinking and higher professional licensing standards in bars, pubs, clubs and restaurants.

Best Bar None has been running for more than 16 years and there are currently active schemes encompassing hundreds of licensed premises over 70 towns and cities in England and Wales, as well as the new Central Scheme, which provides Best Bar None accreditation for operators which are not currently located where a scheme is in place. Premises are audited by trained assessors for operational standards, policies and procedures, as well as the education and training of staff.

The complete list of finalists is as follows:

Best Overall Scheme – presented to the scheme with the biggest impact on its local area.