Aberdeen Venues Battle to Become Best Bar None

24 June 2016

City pubs, clubs and other licensed premises are gearing up for the industry event of the year – Aberdeen’s Best Bar None Awards.

Aberdeen City Council’s Safer Aberdeen team today (Friday 24 June 2016) launched its Best Bar None (BBN) scheme for 2016/17 by inviting licenced premises in the city to sign up to the challenge.

The initiative, which was launched 10 years ago and operates in 40 venues across the city, aims to create a safer and more welcoming licensing environment across Aberdeen and to boost the night-time economy.

Aberdeen City Council Deputy Leader Marie Boulton said: “Best Bar None is a fantastic venture and I urge all licensed venues in Aberdeen to apply.

“The BBN accreditation demonstrates that city venues and their staff have met a level of standards that assures members of the public that they will be able to enjoy a safe and welcoming atmosphere.

“Aberdeen has a vibrant day and night time economy and it’s our ambition to ensure this is both enhanced and supported by BBN by ensuring venues provide, and customers receive, the very best quality experience.”

Last year two city venues were recognised nationally for their achievements as part of the scheme: Malones Irish Bar on Shiprow won best Independent Pub and The Garage on Windmill Brae won best Night Club and Best Public Health Initiative.

Premises are inspected by an independent assessor. They will be judged on their efforts around the Prevention of Crime & Disorder, Securing Public Safety, Prevention of Public Nuisance, Promotion of Public Health and the Protection of Children from Harm.

The scheme is co-ordinated by Aberdeen City Council in partnership with Police Scotland, NHS Grampian and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

Area Commander Chief Inspector Graeme Mackie said: “The Best Bar None awards support and celebrate exactly what Police and our partners strive to achieve - creating a safer and more welcoming environment in our licensed premises in Aberdeen.

"Our officers work hard to make sure that the city centre is as safe and welcoming as possible for people to come and enjoy themselves, and it is thanks to our partnership approach that Aberdeen has been awarded the Purple Flag for excellence in managing our night time economy.

“A great deal of progress has been made throughout the years thanks to the willingness of organisations to work together and these awards are another great example of how key partners work alongside each other to ensure a safe and fun city centre.

“We look forward to continuing our work alongside other agencies and licensed premises to support the great progress that has already been made."

Information will be sent to all licensed premises in Aberdeen inviting them to find out more about the different awards available and what it means to gain accreditation. Awards for this year include:

Best Pub; Best independent Pub; Best Bar; Best Independent Bar; Best Nightclub; Specialist Entertainment; Best Hotel Bar; People’s Choice Award; Best Public Health Initiative; and the Purple Flag award.

Shopsafe will sponsor the People’s Choice Award and will offer the winner free radio hire for one year. Members of the public will have the chance to vote for their favourite venue from the end of August via Facebook and the City Council’s website.

An award ceremony will be held on Tuesday 8 November 2016 at the Beach Ballroom to honour those who have been successful and who will then go on to compete with cities across Scotland in the national awards campaign.

All licensed premises in the area are invited to take part and applications should be in by Friday 29 July. Inspections of venues will take place throughout August and September.

For further information please contact Kerry Laing, 01224 219452 or visit www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/bestbarnone.