Best Bar None crucial to city safety, says Coaker

Best Bar None schemes are playing a crucial role in reducing crime and disorder in UK town and city centres, according to Home Office minister Vernon Coaker.

Projects now running in 70 different areas have made licensed premises safer places thanks to the "fantastic work" carried out by Best Bar None in conjunction with police and other agencies.

Coaker was speaking at the annual Liverpool Best Bar None awards when operators of 50 accredited city centre venues gathered for their awards dinner.

The under secretary for policing and security applauded the new working relationships between the trade and the authorities that Best Bar None had in-

troduced.

"What you have shown here in Liverpool is you can make things safer and the evidence is there for everyone to see.

"It's all about understanding how schemes like this can make a difference," he said.

City council leader Warren Bradley said that without development of the night-time economy the city would be going nowhere.

"It's all about keeping this city buzzing, but also safe," he stressed. Best Bar None encourages premises to work towards better retail and social responsibility standards with the carrot of prestigious awards handed out to the most successful."

Serious crime and disorder in Liverpool city centre is

now running at a record low since Best Bar None was incorporated.

Award winners in the various categories were: Best Club: Club Society; Best Pub: The Welkin; Best Bar: Yates's. Best Independent Premises: Liverpool Students Union. Overall Winner: Club Society.