Category shortlists
Best Overall Scheme - presented to the scheme with the biggest impact on its local area.
Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Torbay, Devon
Tower Hamlets, London
Most Innovative Scheme – awarded to the most creative concept or initiative introduced.
Barnsley, South Yorkshire
Bolton, Greater Manchester
Plymouth, Devon
Torbay, Devon
Best New Scheme – open to any scheme running for less than 18-months.
Cumbria
Worcester, Worcestershire
Havering, London
An unprecedented nine schemes have been shortlisted across three categories ahead of Best Bar None's annual awards ceremony hosted at the House of Lords.
Best Bar None, which sees the alcohol industry collaborate with local authorities and the police to promote responsible drinking and higher licensing standards in bars, pubs, clubs and restaurants across the UK, has been running for 16 years with currently active schemes in hundreds of licensed premises in 70 towns and cities in England and Wales.
The nine selected schemes will now enter one final stage of judging before winners are announced on 4 February 2020.
As reported by The Morning Advertiser (MA) Best Bar None schemes from Plymouth, Barnsley and Wrexham were recognised at the 2019 Best Bar None awards, with £5,000 distributed between the award-winning schemes at the annual ceremony.
Last year’s Best Overall Scheme, Plymouth, has been shortlisted as one of three finalists in the Most Innovative Scheme category with 2019’s best newcomer, Barnsley, also making the cut.
Relevant and valuable
“It is always fantastic to see such a good turnout for our annual awards,” Best Bar None chairman, Lord Smith of Hindhead, explained. "I want to highlight the importance of commending those schemes that are doing such a wonderful job.
“The impact that Best Bar None has in towns and cities today - making them safer and more desirable places to go - is relevant and valuable to the entire hospitality industry and it is everyone on the ground who we have to thank for that.
“It is particularly encouraging to see both the finalists for ‘Best New Scheme’ last year – Torbay and Barnsley - included in the shortlists for ‘Best Innovative Scheme’ and ‘Best Overall Scheme’ this year.
“It just goes to show that new schemes are popping up successfully all the time, developing relationships with local authorities and going on to make a big difference within their communities - which is exactly what we want from Best Bar None.”
