Entries sought for National Pubwatch Awards 2022

05-Apr-2022 - Last updated on 05-Apr-2022 at 12:49 GMT

National Pubwatch chief executive Steve Baker OBE holding one of the new Pubwatch award trophies

Pubwatch schemes are being urged to enter the National Pubwatch Awards 2022, which recognise the work of local initiatives and efforts to provide safe drinking environments for customers and staff.

Finalists will get to attend a prestigious awards dinner in the House of Lords, Westminster, central London on 18 October 2022.

The 2021 award winner was the Bedfordshire ‘Bedsafe’ scheme. Its chairman Mark Judd, owner of the Pilgrims Progress in Bedford, Bedfordshire, said: “Our award has been well received in the community and as a result we feel we are stronger together and the night-time economy is thriving.

On a personal level, Judd also said being invited to attend the House of Lords was one of the great highlights of his career.

Promoting good practice

National Pubwatch chair Steve Baker OBE commented: “One of main aims is to promote good practice and what better way to do than giving people the opportunity to enter for a national award which celebrates achievement at a truly prestigious event.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to promote the work of a local Pubwatch scheme and receive recognition at a national level.”

The Bedsafe scheme, which won the award last year, was commended for the work its members carried out with the local police and council to target alcohol-related disorder in the town.

The judges highlighted the support given to the scheme by night-time economy workers, who had suffered assault and harassment from people who had been drinking.

Industry heroes

This resulted in six people being banned for assaulting police officers, three for assaulting door staff and one for assaulting a taxi driver.

Rockpoint Leisure director and Institute of Licensing chairman Dan Davies won the National Pubwatch Award of Merit 2021, which recognises valuable contributions made by individuals to the success of pubwatch schemes.

Furthermore, the Bravery and Meritorious Conduct Award 2021 was presented to Brighton-based Shooshh club door supervisor, Clive Read, who detained a rapist and rescued a young girl on Brighton beach, East Sussex.

The Winery Bar Restaurant, Burton, Staffordshire general manager Becky Goulding was also awarded the title for helping a customer who collapsed from cardiac arrest in the car park.