A UNIQUE scheme which aims to showcase Scotland’s most customer-friendly bars is set to double in strength after attracting support from two of the world’s major beer brands.
Molson Coors and HEINEKEN are joining lead sponsors Diageo, providing major new funding to develop Best Bar None Scotland which is administered by the Scottish Business Crime Centre.
The appointment of these global brands heralds an intensive consumer drive behind the scheme with the aim that the public will actively seek out those safety conscious bars, restaurants and nightclubs who are members of the scheme.
Mandy Haeburn-Little, Director of SBCC, explains: “We all want a safer Scotland and want to see the experience of going out as fun but safe occasion for all age groups.
“Having international brand sponsors Molson Coors and HEINEKEN join Diageo, who is the world’s largest producer of spirits, is a massive boost for us and provides solid endorsement of the value of Best Bar None Scotland.
“We now want to use this support to help us propel the scheme to the forefront of consumer awareness.
“It’s our hope that before long, anyone for example arriving in a Scottish town or city for the first time, will be able to go onto the Best Bar None Scotland website to find bars or clubs that they know excel as being safe for women, for people travelling on their own or child-friendly.
“Members have delivered outstanding customer service and created innovative ways to improve the environment inside and outside pubs and clubs, which has played a powerful role in changing Scotland’s relationship with alcohol.”
Best Bar None Scotland is an integral part of the Safer Areas Initiatives within Scotland and was created as a means of promoting positive relations between Police, Fire and Rescue Services, licensed trade and local partner agencies.
The scheme focuses on safety and customer care, and gives each licensed venue the opportunity to prove it meets a standard of operation set in consultation with the police, government and alcohol industry at a national level.
It rewards safe and well-managed licensed venues with the issue of a display plaque which can be used to promote the venue. The overall aim of the initiative is for partner agencies to work together with licensed premises to create a safer and more welcoming city and town centre environments.
A new Best Bar None Scotland Board has just been formed comprised of representatives from police, fire services and the licensed trade who will now discuss how the scheme can be further developed. This new Board will be supported by the well-established Executive Committee of local coordinators who already manage the schemes at local level.
Mandy added: “Members have made a dedicated effort to push the boundaries and raise the standard of creating a safer night time economy.
“We’ve seen some excellent services put in place like serving hot food before leaving for the journey home, patrons making sure people are safe in taxis, cleaning the streets around the clubs and importantly looking after single females.
“Going forward we want to see increasingly more Scottish venues become involved in the scheme and we hope that with more choices throughout Scotland it will be automatic for the public to research the website for members in their chosen area.
“In the year ahead, Scotland will hear a lot more about Best Bar None Scotland and the benefits of what it can deliver for those seeking a good evening out.”
In March Best Bar None Scotland held its 2nd National Awards which recognised a number of core success indicators by the 260 members who have worked to create a vibrant, safe and responsible leisure industry across Scotland.
The scheme saw a record number of entries for the main categories which included:-
Foremost Public health Initiative sponsored by Diageo; Best use of Innovation, Sponsored by Secured by Design; Best Bar, Sponsored by Molson Coors; Best Nightclub, sponsored by SGL; Best Specialist Entertainment Premises, sponsored by Strathclyde Fire & Rescue; Best Pub, sponsored by HEINEKEN.
More information about the Best Bar None Scotland scheme can be found on the Scottish Business Crime Centre website www.sbcc.org.uk.
