Best Bar None scheme launches in Cheltenham

Cheltenham is the first district in the county to sign up to the national scheme which is supported by the Home Office.

BBN is aimed at promoting responsible management of alcohol licensed premises and reducing alcohol related crime and disorder in town centres by building a positive relationship between the licensed trade, police and local authorities.

Cheltenham has the largest night time economy between Birmingham and Bristol .

At the launch, Cllr Anne Regan - Cheltenham 's mayor, presented the borough's first batch of successful award winners from the pilot with their certificates and plaques.

A further five applications are currently being processed and it is hoped that up to 20 venues will win accreditation within the next 12 months. To achieve this, venues have to show that they are professionally managed with clear policies and procedures in place for the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance and the protection of children from harm.

Cllr Klara Sudbury, Cabinet member for housing and safety, says: "We hope that Best Bar None will prove to be as successful here in Cheltenham as it has been in other parts of the country.

"By continuing to work together with our partners and local establishments, we hope that we can continue to reduce the harmful effects of alcohol, and improve the knowledge and skills of enforcement and regulation agencies, licensees and bar staff to help them responsibly manage licensed premises."

Trevor Gladding, community protection manager for Cheltenham Borough Council, continues: "There is a popularly held belief that the town centre is a 'no-go' area after dark due to problems of disorder and drunkenness. The reality is however that due to the successful partnership working of police, council, health and other partner agencies, and the licensed trade itself, the town centre is safer than it has been for years."

Cheltenham licensing officer, PC Andy Cook, says: "Cheltenham Police are committed to tackling crime and disorder connected with the night time economy. We are fortunate that we have a great working relationship with licensees across the town. Cheltenham is a safe place to enjoy an evening out and this scheme will endorse and build on the good work that is already taking place."

Notes:

BBN was piloted in Manchester in 2003 and found to improve standards in the night time economy, with premises now competing to participate. It has since been adopted by 100 towns and cities across the UK and is now being taken up internationally.

The following establishments will receive their certificates and plaques from the Mayor of Cheltenham on Friday 4 March 2011 at Revolution in Clarence Parade:

Revolution Bar
Lace nightclub
O'Neills
The Langton
The Kings Arms, Prestbury
The Greatfield
The Redgrove Harvester

The value of the UK 's evening and night-time economy (NTE) is often overlooked yet is a crucial driver of tourism, leisure and business growth, employing 1.3m people and generating £66bn for UK plc.

Figures released in 2004 suggested that the NTE in Cheltenham contributes between £21 and £31 million to the town.

Cheltenham has the largest NTE between Birmingham and Bristol . Over 100 town centre bars and clubs catering for over 10,000 people on a nightly basis.

A vibrant NTE which in common with the economy in general is facing challenging economic conditions whilst also having to deal with often very negative perceptions.

Violent crime figures for Cheltenham town centre are at a ten year low; considerably lower than for Gloucester and in recent months lower even than Stroud.

These results have not been achieved through good luck or by accident. Cheltenham has played a leading role in tackling problems associated with the NTE through the Reducing Alcohol Related Violence (RARV) project.

In 2007 a set of Codes of Practice laying down 'common sense' principles for all sectors of the night-time economy were published. The first and most comprehensive document of its type to be launched in the UK and acknowledged as 'best practice' by the Home Office. 

In 2008/9 in another example of forward thinking, door supervisors working at venues in Cheltenham received enhanced training in conflict management. The value of this training has been nationally recognised and will shortly be compulsory for all new staff working as door supervisors across the UK.

The introduction of taxi marshals to control the busy taxi rank in the Promenade and the successful launch in 2009 of the Cheltenham Street Pastors has made a significant contribution to keeping Cheltenham safe after dark.

The Best Bar None (BBN) scheme in Cheltenham will build on all of these successes.