Best Bar None winners announced

Durham won the top award at the Best Bar None event this week – garnering praise for the partnership between the city’s on-trade and local authorities.

Sarah Newton, MP, Home Office Minister for Vulnerability, Safeguarding and Countering Extremism launched the awards and presented the Outstanding Contribution Award to Tracey Ford from the Sheffield Drug and Alcohol Action Team.

National BBN Co-ordinator Mick McDonnell said, “Through her leadership and commitment the BBN scheme continues to evolve and grow year on year. Tracey has been instrumental in proving that true partnership can, and does, achieve fantastic results.”

The Best New Scheme saw schemes in Torquay, Central Bedfordshire and Clapham go head-to-head with Clapham BBN announced as winner.

“An area which has a challenging evening and night time economy has embraced over 75% of its pubs and bars engage with Best Bar None in the first year,” said Best Bar None chairman Robert Humphreys, “A fantastic start in a one of London’s liveliest areas.”

Central Bedfordshire, Nottinghamshire and Exeter were short-listed for Most Innovative Scheme with Exeter topping the judge’s scorecard with their full-service app and the development of an innovative Queue Tracker.

The final award, for the Best Overall Scheme, went to Durham, whose entry was described as a shining example of engaging not only the industry but the general public too. Crime figures have fallen consistently year-on-year and public awareness and engagement has risen through innovative marketing and promotion. The award was received by scheme coordinator Carol Feenan from sponsor Mark Baird, Head of Alcohol in Society at Diageo.

Humphreys said, “Durham is an outstanding example of a BBN programme that has continued to evolve through strong leadership, widespread engagement with all agencies and positive consumer engagement. Having sustained the programme for over 10 years it is testament to the commitment of the team that improvement has been constant over the years.”

Sheffield and Central Bedfordshire, also finalists in the category, also saw impressive reductions in alcohol related crime and disorder. “

Finalists & Winners:

Outstanding Contribution:

Tracey Ford, Sheffield Drug and Alcohol Action Team, Sheffield BBN

Best New Scheme:

Clapham – Winner

Torquay – Highly Commended

Leighton-Linslade – Highly Commended

Most Innovative Scheme

Exeter – Winner

Central Bedfordshire – Highly Commended

Nottinghamshire – Highly Commended