Lochaber hostelries are awarded Best Bar None
Work to improve standards recognised with accreditation
Lochaber licensed premises have been presented with awards recognising their efforts to drive up standards.
The national Best Bar None accreditation scheme gives participants advice and support to improve the safety of staff, premises and customers and raise standards.
Twelve premises in and around Lochaber received awards on Monday February 3. Nine received silver awards with three reaching gold standard. Two special awards – Innovation in Social Responsibility and Heart of the Community – were presented to The Chlachain Inn and The Lochy respectively.
Co-ordinator of the scheme in Lochaber is Preventions and Interventions officer Police Constable Katy Duncan.
She said: ‘These awards are about recognising the high standards the premises have and the positive effect they have on the night-time economy. These awards drive up standards and help lower drunkenness and drinkrelated violence attributed to licensed premises.
‘They get an initial visit from a co-ordinator when they are told what needs to be done to achieve each level of award. After that, it is up to the business to do the work before they are assessed.
‘It helps the police as people are being refused service before there is a need for us to get involved. So there is lower demand for police and ambulance services.
‘Next year we hope to have many more bars, hotels and restaurants sign up to the scheme. It helps staff stay safe and is recognisable for visitors so they can be assured they will have a safe and enjoyable night.’
Caol and Mallaig councillor Ben Thompson presented the awards in his role as the Lochaber representative on the Highland Council licensing committee.
He said: ‘It is encouraging to see so many Lochaber premises doing so well in keeping staff and visitors safe.’
While hopes of receiving a gold award were high, Gordon Cleland of The Lochy was not expecting to receive the Heart of the Community Award.
Mr Cleland said: ‘This was good recognition of the community work we do which includes fundraising for local causes, making our premises available for health group meetings, outreach work with schools and the free library service we offer where we have books available for loan at the bar and encourage people to donate their own.
‘We give a presentation to high school pupils around the age of 15 when we tell them about the realities of alcohol, what it does to your body and how to stay safe if they or their friends have had too much.’
There were silver awards for: Cobbs Café & Bar, Fort William; Maryburgh Inn, Fort William; Steam Inn, Mallaig; West Highland Hotel, Mallaig; MacDonald Hotel, Kinlochleven; Volunteer Arms, Fort William; Sunny’s Sports Bar, Fort William; Ben Nevis Bar, Fort William; and Roobarb, Fort William. The three gold award winners were: The Chlachain, Mallaig; The Crofter, Fort William, and The Lochy, Caol.
Businesses wishing to get involved with Best Bar None should contact PC Katy Duncan on kate@ lochaberenviro.org.uk or go to bbnscotland.co.uk for more information.