Best Bar None awards launch in Birmingham
Birmingham City Council is to launch a Best Bar None awards scheme to recognise the city's best pubs.
The awards will assess premises on criteria such as door and security policies, how staff deal with abusive customers, first aid, and alcohol related crime.
There will be prizes for best city centre pub, best suburban pub, best city centre bar, best suburban bar, best nightclub and best hotel bar. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on September 16.
Best Bar None aims to reward good management and encourage social responsibility among licensees across the country.
John McNamara, chief executive of the British Institute of Innkeepers (BII), said: "Best Bar None is a very worthwhile initiative and a success story across the country, with more than 80 schemes already operating in the UK. It is a shining example of good partnership between the industry, police and local authorities in improving our night-time economy and encouraging our customers to enjoy the hospitality and entertainment we offer."
Birmingham radio station BRMB is giving members of the public the chance to get involved by running a phoneline so listeners can vote for their favourite venue.
"The scheme will encourage licensees to take pride in their premises and surroundings and they should be rewarded with increased business and the prestige of being part of this nationally-recognised scheme," said councillor Ayoub Khan, cabinet member for local services and community safety.
The scheme is officially being launched at an event in Birmingham tomorrow (Tuesday). Licensees wishing to enter should visit the Birmingham City Council website.
