The city of Liverpool is
living proof that a responsible alcohol retailing policy can deliver a successful and safe night-time economy.
Ten years ago, comparisons with "Dodge City" singled out the Merseyside metropolis as an area to be avoided rather than a Mecca for fun and safe entertainment.
Now as Liverpool prepares for a great year as European Capital of Culture it is being described as one of the safest city centres in the UK.
A successful multi-agency approach involving every single stakeholder with an interest in the licensed trade has transformed the city's leisure industry. Crime is at its lowest rate since 1997, with figures showing a 31% year-on-year reduction.
Liverpool's renaissance follows the ground-breaking "City Centre Safe" scheme pioneered by neighbouring Manchester. It illustrates what can be achieved by a structured approach to a problem that besets so many town and city centres across the country.
So it was little surprise that the trade's professional body for the industry, the BII, chose Liverpool to host its second Responsible Alcohol Retailing week.
The two-day event featured visits to venues to see how licensees and bar operators ran their premises. Presentations from pubco operators and the Liverpool Chamber Of Commerce, whose "Business Crime Direct" department masterminds the whole citycentre initiative, were also included.
BII chief executive John McNamara said Liverpool's achievements provided a blueprint for all town and city centres to emulate.
"The city is changing its face with a billion pound regeneration in preparation for [becoming] next year's European Capital of Culture," said McNamara.
"It is also being transformed through its work in managing the night-time economy so that people can enjoy a night out in a safe environment.
"Liverpool is an example for every city in the country to follow. It should be shouting its achievements from the rooftops."
Working to make life safe
Liverpool Chamber of Commerce orchestrates the entire City Safe initiative, pulling together every stakeholder and agency working in the pub and club sector.
The Chamber's Business Crime Direct set up its joint agency three years ago with the 2008 Capital of Culture at the heart of its forward strategy.
Principal agencies involve frontline licensees through the Liverpool Pubwatch Group, the police, city council, health
authorities, bus and taxi operators and many other partners.
Police, city wardens and soon-to-be-introduced taxi marshals ensure revellers enjoy a night out with a minimum of trouble. A £6m investment in CCTV systems and radio links for more than 100 bar operators lends an essential degree of technology to the whole scheme.
"There are upwards of 130,000 people in the city centre on a typical Saturday night - that's a huge number to control," said Business Crime Direct head Peter Jones. "They range from locals, students and trendsetters to stag and hen parties.
"To ensure all these people enjoy a peaceful leisure culture, the night-time economy has to be effectively managed. Over the past three years different initiatives have been introduced, including the highly-successful Best Bar None awards scheme.
"To date 49 operators are Best Bar None accredited, which reflects the progress we have made in encouraging licensees to raise their standards. Since 2004 we have achieved a great deal but we are not resting on our laurels and are
determined to push City Safe forwards," he added.
Case Study 1 Revolution Bar, Temple Court, Liverpool
The Revolution Bar sells 50 different brands of imported vodka and does a roaring trade in its own speciality-flavoured vodka drinks.
Despite the young clientele, this bar is virtually trouble-free and singled out by police as one of the best run in the city.
Key to its success is staff training and long-serving personnel who know the city and the regular customers.
"All our staff are highly trained and many have been with us a long time so they can sense trouble long before it starts," said Ian Cockill, human resources director for the bar's owner Inventive Leisure.
"We are operating a £1m or so business here and we need to ensure we do not let in customers who rock the boat," he said.
Inventive runs 53 Revolution bars and while all remain wet-led its strategy is changing to meet new retail demands.
"We have a growing food business that currently accounts for about 12% of turnover. Also Revolution has recently become a corporate BII member," Cockill added.
Case Study 2 Modo Bar, Concert Square, Liverpool
Modo is located in the developing Latin quarter of the city and boasts a large outdoor seating area for customers.
It serves a student clientele during the week, but the weekend sees more mature customers emerge. Responsible retailing is a key part of Modo's strategy and a range of directives guard against trouble.
Drinks offers such as "two for ones" are only available in midweek up to 8pm and full prices are charged at weekends. Plastic glasses and ashtrays are used and big stag or hen parties discouraged. Supervision difficulties accompany large outdoor drinking areas, but problems are rare.
"Other bars offer discounts, but we draw the line at midweek and only until 8pm. We introduced plastic without much reaction. As we have tables outside, customers accept this," said bar manager Lindsey Gannon.
City Safe says the area is packed with bars but alcohol-related crime remains low. The biggest problem is petty theft, which City Safe intends to address in the future.
City Safe facts and stats
1,600 licensed premises
500 outlets in city centre
120 Pubwatch members
104 radio-linked members
49 Best Bar None
accredited licensees
10 clubs with metal-detector equipment
Cash grants for
polycarbonate glasses
Dedicated city-centre
"Gold Zone" police team
City centre marshals
Taxi marshals
Late-night bus network for revellers