Newcastle’s nightlife serves up to be Best Bar None

Newcastle’s annual Best Bar None accreditation is receiving new backing this year in the form of NewcastleGateshead Initiative and Tourism Tyne and Wear.  The two groups, who are responsible for marketing the city and wider region as a leading destination, are working with Best Bar None to show local people and visitors that the accreditation is a standard of quality.

Andrew Dixon, Chief Executive for NewcastleGateshead Initiative and Tourism Tyne and Wear said: “We’re delighted to be able to support the Best Bar None accreditation. The leisure industry is the single largest economy in Newcastle and one of the major draws to the city. If we are going to be promoting the night-time industry then we want to make sure that local people and visitors experience only the safest and most customer focussed venues. That is why from 2010, wherever the scheme applies, we will be promoting venues that have proved they are Best Bar None quality standard.”

The 2010 accreditation scheme was launched at the venue of the current title-holder of Overall Winner, The Telegraph.

Now entering its fifth year, the scheme works in partnership with the licensed trade, the local authority, Police and Fire and Rescue to ensure a safe environment for pub-goers to socialise in. Seventy-two venues took part last year with all of them gaining the Best Bar None seal of approval.

Councillor Anita Lower, Chair of Safe Newcastle said “The purpose of Best Bar None is ultimately to reduce the risk of alcohol related incidents, disorder and crime. It also allows the licensed trade to play their part in creating a safe and vibrant city by signing up to a benchmark of good practice. The scheme recognises and rewards the nightspots of Newcastle who are genuinely striving to reduce alcohol related crime, promote responsible drinking and keep the fantastic nightlife that Newcastle is famous for.”

Stephen Savage, Director of Regulatory Services and Public Protection for Newcastle City Council said “The City Council and the Licensing Authority fully endorse the Best Bar None scheme. It allows us to work in an effective partnership with the licensed trade whilst importantly at the same time, award and recognise the responsible operators who have embraced the ethos of Best Bar None.”

“The leisure economy, which includes all licensed premises which operate in both the daytime and night-time economies, is recognised by the City Council and the Licensing Authority as very important for the development of Newcastle. We also recognise the pressures from many sources that the licensed trade continues to face and we look forward to the continued partnership working that the Best Bar None scheme represents.”

Venues entering the scheme are assessed on how well they manage a range of issues including prevention of crime and disorder, drinks promotion door policy, noise and underage drinking. Premises which are successful will then have the opportunity of competing for the titles of best pub, best local pub, best club, best bar and best overall winner at the awards ceremony in May.

Superintendent Gillian Mitchell of Northumbria Police added “The scheme is important to Newcastle as it promotes responsible management and operation of alcohol-licensed premises with the ultimate aim of ensuring a high quality, safe and enjoyable drinking experience in the city. We have always had a great response from the licensed trade in the past and we are confident that the 2010 scheme will be a huge success.”

Last year’s scheme saw The Telegraph scoop the coveted prize of Best Bar None Overall Winner and Best Pub. David Collins, the owner of The Telegraph added “I’m thrilled that we have been recognised so publicly, not once but twice! Newcastle has some of the best bars and pubs in England, so to come top is no mean feat. It’s been a tough year for the leisure industry but that doesn’t mean we can let our standards slip. Myself and the team have all worked hard to create a safe and enjoyable environment for all of our customers – whether they be local or visitors to our city.”

Safe Newcastle’s scheme has been gaining momentum since it was first launched in 2005. Backers of the initiative, past and present, include key players in the licensed trade such as Newcastle City Council, Northumbria Police, Newcastle Pubwatch, Security Industry Authority, Metro Radio, Newcastle Licensing Forum, Scottish and Newcastle and Government Office North East. 

Key speakers at the launch included Cllr Anita Lower, Stephen Savage, Director of Regulatory Services and Public Protection, Superintendent Gillian Mitchell, Andrew Dixon, Executive Director of NGI.