Best Bar None to award gay venues

Brighton has broken new ground by having a Best Bar None award for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender venues.

The new category has been added to Brighton's BBN Awards, the pub and club accreditation scheme that is launched in the city this month.

Police decided to add the new category after they were approached by gay magazine 3Sixty

Cllr Jeane Lepper said: "We are delighted that 3Sixty Magazine has come forward to sponsor this unique new category. We are all proud that our city has so many well run licensed premises that are popular with the LGBT [lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender] community and I'm sure competition will be strong."​

The aim of BBN is to reduce the risk of alcohol related harm, disorder and crime within the city and to establish a benchmark of good practice in off and on-trade premises.

All entrants now fall into four categories - pubs, bars, clubs or LGBT venues - and each premises will be judged on criteria including their door policy, crime prevention strategy, emergency procedures along with drink and drugs policies.

The overall winners in each category will receive the accolade of being called The Best Pub, Bar, Club or LGBT venue in Brighton & Hove. The awards will be presented at a formal dinner on 1 October.

For further information on the Brighton scheme call the BBN Hotline on 01273 665563. Application forms can downloaded from www.sussex.police.uk​