Oldham’s 100th Best Bar None scheme launches in the town.
In use across the UK, Best Bar None will reward Oldham town centre’s best venues for offering a safe and crime-free environment to their customers.
Supported by Greater Manchester Police, Oldham Council and Oldham’s Drug and Alcohol Action Team, the scheme recognises licensed premises that provide good management, a safe and enjoyable environment, discourage binge drinking and prevent alcohol-related crime.
Application forms have been sent out to every town centre venue, giving each bar, club and pub the chance to take part.
All applicants will fall into three categories, pubs, bars or clubs, and each premises will be judged on a number of criteria including door policy, crime prevention strategy, emergency procedures and drink and drugs polices.
Assessors will inspect all of the applicants’ outlets. Their findings will then be put before a panel of local judges, including representatives from GMP and the local authority.
Every entrant who meets the minimum standard for safety set by the Best Bar None scheme will receive accreditation, meaning that they can use the official Best Bar None logo on their own promotional advertising, to let the public know their venue is working hard to keep its customers even safer.
An awards ceremony will take place at the start of 2011, where the names of the accredited venues will be announced, as well as the category winners and the overall winner.
The scheme has already won national recognition with Joe Curran, Scheme Coordinator, receiving an award for his ‘raising the standards, raising the bar’ strapline for the Oldham scheme. Joe picked up the award at the Best Bar None conference on Wednesday 24 November. The strapline will now be used on Best Bar None branding across the UK.
Chief Superintendent Tim Forber said: “There has been some great work in the town centre to ensure people have a safe, enjoyable night and this has resulted in a 22 per cent drop in alcohol-related crime. Best Bar None is an opportunity for us to showcase this success and also focus on the areas that still need improvements, making sure that each pub, club and bar continues to work with us and is doing all they can to fight the problems caused by binge-drinking and alcohol-fuelled crime.
“I am confident that every venue in the town centre will meet accreditation and we can all come together in the new year to celebrate.”
Councillor Rod Blyth, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Public Protection, said: "I welcome the introduction of Best Bar None which will build on the measures we have already put in place to promote and support the responsible management of alcohol licensed premises.
"Feedback on the scheme from local licensees has been very positive and this will be another important means by which we can promote and celebrate excellence in operational performance whilst also boosting the local night time economy."
Richard Kubilius, from Oldham’s Drug and Alcohol Team (DAAT), said: “Oldham DAAT is delighted to be supporting Best Bar None. We believe that a scheme like this will enhance the health message and make retailers more aware of the risks involved with alcohol misuse.
“Not only is Oldham the 100th scheme in the UK but also the first to award assessment points on alcohol-related health information. There isn’t anywhere more appropriate to get the messages across than from where the alcohol is bought.”
The launch will take place at Oldham Coliseum Theatre.
