Best Bar None: Pubwatch launches venue standards scheme
READING Pubwatch has begun auditing applicant venues for its accreditation scheme.
The organisation, which promotes best practises in pubs, clubs, and licensed venues, has opened the Best Bar None scheme to venues in Reading. Best Bar None is a voluntary scheme which sees eligible venues rewarded with accredited status based on their operating standards each year.
Venues are encouraged to volunteer for consideration, after which they will be subject to a pre-arranged audit.
Steve Baker OBE, chair of National Pubwatch, said that it would be the best thing to have in the night-time economy.
“Because I know it addresses the issues of people who are threatening those businesses.
“But from a processes and management perspective, I think it gives you some of the skills and materials to manage the internal processes of venues.”
The audit will ensure venues are following safety regulations and industry standards, as well as providing sufficient training for staff.
Venues will be assessed on drug policy, fire and electrical safety policy, risk assessment standards, levels of inclusion and community safeguarding.
There will also be extra bands of accreditation for venues which exceed expectations, and for engagement with other venue standards groups, such as regular representation at Pubwatch meetings.
The scheme will be of no cost to the venues, and will provide policy templates for businesses where needed, as well as advice and support for those venues which do not meet prerequisites.
Mr Baker said: “If I was looking at anything I’d like to add to what we do in PubWatch,
I’d look at Best bar None first.
“I think its a good fit for licensees.”
He noted that PubWatch has already begun to make a difference in Reading, citing Reading’s continued diligence with nuisance or problem patrons getting banned from venues.
“By far the most communication we’ve had is people who’ve been banned from local PubWatch schemes, and quite a significant number of them come from Reading.”
Patrons who’ve been banned from PubWatch venues are often also excluded from the other participating venues.
“It’s certainly an indication
that you’re being effective.
“Because we wouldn’t receive that correspondence if you weren’t doing something here which makes such an impact on crime and disorder.”
Piloted in Manchester in 2003, the scheme has been rolled out to a number of towns and cities, including Cardiff, Nottingham, Coventry, Swansea, and Plymouth.
Stuart McNaught, general manager of the Purple Turtle, was one of the founding members of the Reading Licensee Association, which later became PubWatch, and also chaired the scheme until 2018.
He said it was a pleasure to work with great individuals and organisations: “To get the nighttime economy back to where we want to be.
“The working partnership between Thames Valley Police, Reading Borough Council, PubWatch, the business improvement district and members of the public, I don’t think it’s ever been so good.”
Mr McNaught said that the Best Bar None accreditation would be an opportunity to continue improving nightlife in Reading.
“Not just to go back to 2019, but to move more positively towards improving the standards of the night-time economy.
“Not only making it the best we’ve ever seen in Reading, but also making Reading one of the safest and best places to go out for any age group.”
Mike Worthington, regional coordinator of Best Bar None for Northamptonshire, says that there is no compulsion to join the scheme.
“But we hope venues will want to join because they can see the benefits of raising standards in their industry.
“The scheme creates a universal national standard, reducing the harmful effects of binge-drinking, and fosters a sense of community among the licensees.
He says that the scheme will raise the profile of operators and venues, with certificates or plaques to display for customers.
“Best Bar None offers free advice, policy developments, templates, and a good working relationship between those in the industry.”
Venues are currently undergoing audits until August.
Results will be announced at a black tie ceremony in September.
Venues who would like to participate in the future can put themselves forward at www. NationalPubWatch.org.uk