The ‘Best’ licensed premises honoured at city award ceremony

The cream of the city centre’s licensed premises were celebrating last night at an award ceremony which honoured their industry.

The Best Bar None 2010/2011 Scheme held its annual awards dinner at the Mercure St Paul’s Hotel, which was attended by more than 275 guests. A total of 47 of the ‘best’ city centre bars, pubs, licensed restaurants and nightclubs were accredited with the prestigious Best Bar None status.

Awards were presented for the best licensed premises in each category as well as an overall Best Bar None 2010/2011 winner. The winners were:

-          Best Pub – Henry’s.

-          Best Bar – Bar Phoenix at the Hallam Students Union

-          Best Nightclub – The O2 Academy

-          Best Restaurant – Hui Wei

-          Best Bar None Overall – Bar Phoenix at the Hallam Students Union

Listeners of Hallam FM voted for the winner of Best behind the Bar Category, which was awarded to Paul Lofthouse from the Wick at Both Ends.

Those who entered the scheme were assessed on a number of criteria, which focused on deterring crime and disorder, preventing underage drinking and promoting public safety.

Best Bar None is a recognised award scheme supported by the Home Office and aims to promote responsible management and operation of alcohol licensed premises. The scheme has been adopted by over 95 towns and cities across the UK and is now being taken up in other countries.

The scheme provides an incentive for the operators of licensed premises to improve their standards of operation to the level of a commonly agreed national benchmark.

Best Bar None also provides a much needed opportunity for licensees to demonstrate to official agencies just how safely they manage their own businesses.

Supporters of the Best Bar None scheme include Sheffield First, John Gaunt & Partners Licensing Solicitors, Sheffield City Taxis and Britvic soft drinks.

Jo Daykin-Goodall, Director of Substance Misuse Strategy for Sheffield said: “We had a fantastic response to this year’s scheme and are really pleased with how well Best Bar None was received across the city.

"I am delighted that 47 premises received the Best Bar None accreditation this year and congratulations to all those involved. It indicates what a successful, vibrant and safe city centre we have in Sheffield.

“When the Best Bar None certificate is displayed in a licensed premise, it tells customers and staff that they are drinking and working in a safe environment.

“We are already planning for Best Bar None 2011/2012 and I am sure that it will be bigger and better than ever before.”