Best of the best

Retailing alcohol responsibly is what the pub trade does. But some pubs are truly outstanding in the way they do it. If you are one of them, you must enter this year's RDR awards. So read on...

 The Morning Advertiser, together with sister publication Off Licence News, this week relaunches

 the Responsible Drinks Retailing (RDR) Awards.

 Now celebrating their fifth year, the RDR Awards are dedicated to rewarding businesses and organisations that make the best efforts to sell alcohol responsibly.

 The trade has been divided up into several categories in an effort to recognise as many initiatives as possible. These include practical steps taken by individual licensees to banish trouble, to well-honed partnerships between local authorities and the police.

 The winners of the 2008 awards will be judged by a panel of industry experts, who will be looking for examples of best practice and a consistent approach to promoting the responsible sale of alcohol.

 The finalists will be invited to a special awards lunch in London on 11 November where the overall winners will be announced.

 Licensing minister Gerry Sutcliffe, is lending his support to the cause. The pub trade's champion will open the ceremony and present the awards to winners from all areas of the industry.

 The awards will be preceded by a high-level conference covering the latest developments in RDR.

The RDR Awards explained

 Why enter?

 As demonstrated by previous winners, the awards can help you promote your business or organisation. It will give recognition that you are trading within the law and helping to protect the local community.

 Award categories

 Pub Company and Managed Pubs: for the pub company/managed pub that has done the most to help its licensees/outlet managers deal with the challenges of drinks retailing.

 Tenant/Lessees: for licensees who have gone beyond the call of duty in ensuring they and their staff retail alcohol responsibly.

 Pubwatch of the Year: to recognise the pubwatch scheme that has been the most effective in promoting social responsibility through the implementation of local initiatives.

 Innovation of the Year: for anyone in the on or off-trade who has come up with one single, specific idea or initiative to demonstrate RDR.

 Local Authority of the Year: for measures taken with the pub and off-licensed trade in tackling the problem of antisocial behaviour.

 Police Champions of the Year: for the police authority that does the most to support and encourage retailers to promote RDR standards on their premises.

 Best Initiative: this category applies to the public sector groups above, plus the likes of Town Centre Management, the NHS and the Education Trust. It is open to any group that has come up with a single, specific initiative that has been employed to demonstrate RDR and tackle problems in both the on and off trades.

 How to enter

 Entrants are required to write no more than 1,000 words to support each category.

 Full details and an entry form can be obtained from Sarah Stevens on 01293 610403, or email her at sarah.stevens@william-reed.co.uk.

 Alternatively, visit www.responsibledrinksretailing.co.uk where you can get more info and download an entry form.

 Please return your form no later than 5 September 2008. The awards lunch will be held at the Landmark Hotel in London on 11 November 2008.