Best Bar None Dr. Alexandra J. Kenyon

Objectives of the Research To explore perceptions of the scheme with stakeholders To investigate the positive gains following the implementation of the scheme To identify how Best Bar None’s can contribute to stakeholders achieving their Licensing Objectives To investigate recommendations for future improvements to the Best Bar None Scheme To explore how Best Bar None can become more active in Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships

Purpose of the research in practice Best Bar None & Balance North East Alcohol Office What stakeholders think of the Best Bar None What improvements can be made How the Best Bar None is operated In order to…. Share best practice Improve Best Bar None Facilitate principles for New Best Bar None schemes

Sample – participants/stakeholders StakeholdersTown/city Police & Pubwatch 4 Health 2 Night-time manager /local authority 1 Town Centre Manager 1 Fire 2 Local BBN Manager 7 licensees various

Stakeholders – various presence Some … –Best Bar None Assessors –Panel Members –Judges –Speakers at Best Bar None opening ceremony –Speakers at Best Bar None Awards Dinner –Or… do not get involved at all

Break the ice - Stakeholders Why get involved with Best Bar None? Police Inspector “passionate about safety…. don’t know exactly what makes BBN different to all the other initiatives but its more inclusive, it’s got more bite, it’s got a name, a recognisable brand it’s also got a like a national infrastructure so for all those reasons it works”

Con’d Police Inspector “…improves standards generally, we could introduce polycarb glasses which reduces injury which assists the police. We’ve worked together [local Best Bar None] got funding and shared ideas”. “… good for safety but don’t want to frighten people into thinking the town’s not safe – so it’s better raising standards and levels of serve

Cont… Fire - “…opens people’s minds…partnerships… and there’s a lot of advice out there… if they [licensees] need help they know where to come.” Town Centre Manager – “ our strategy was languishing on the shelves warmed it up.. Best Bar None seen as key strategy to improve the Night Time Economy”

Cont… Health … “we now have a different distribution channel for health matters” Posters etc for Chlamydia, unwanted pregnancy, spiked drinks 5 th Licensing Objective

Generally Increasing – safety, revenue increase, standards Reducing – injury, police time, Partnership Advice Together No longer “them and us” Question?

Licensees - benefits “I can have a night off… a holiday… knowing systems are in place” “I can ring the police anytime for help with temp events” “I don’t panic if they [police] walk in anymore”

Licensees - benefits “we’re all in it together – at the Dinner altogether informally… we all have things in common…those that are good we are together … bad – there’s nowhere to hide” “keeps my staff trained up” “Reduces staff turnover” “Accidents happen – but not negligent…2 year’s worth of files to prove it”

Local Best Bar None Manager Partnerships Awards night is Reward Night Helps to spread the word (health) – in bags (fresher's week or near Christmas) about domestic violence – any health poster “I could guarantee that most of our licensed premises would have them up by tomorrow” – relationships/partnerships “It’s how the place is managed … massive fights happen … alcohol, hot, don’t pretend it didn’t happen. We try to get this across”

Best Bar None – the process Principally the same Differences in Assessors and Judges & process Recruitment In-line with Pubwatch meeting Black-tie dinner Licensing officer walkabout Launch-night

Process – very different – no right or wrong way and £££ Town X Jan – application by hand End Jan – forms returned Feb – 2 nd walkabout Assess p/c & b immediately Tally points Mystery Shop top 3 Check dailies – fail test purchases Discussion around table with Senior member Town Y Feb – Radio launch March – launch party + letter and flyers July – Assessments complete August – Panel Assessors + police (failing pubs/test purchases etc) September Judging (closed session)

Question Short or long Application Form?

Research suggests full application is better! Local Best Bar None Manager and Licensees Because… Thorough – very bureaucratic Get’s teams together Helps to train Assistant Managers and reminds Gives supervisors/managers a project of their own A consequence of good BBN forms make you “concentrate the mind”

Question Short or long Application Form? CD or on-line?

Benefits of accreditation & winning! To encourage more pubs/clubs & bars to join Boasting rights and Free advertising Messages on web-site, facebook, Head Office Reports Recognition of Job Well done “…being recognized by the authority as being the top of their game” “Authority says we are the best …confirms to the customer they have made the right choice in coming to us”. “…consequence of good training a good philosophy –Best Bar None makes you vigilant – it’s symbiotic”

Purpose of the research in practice Best Bar None & Balance North East Alcohol Office What stakeholders think of the Best Bar None What improvements can be made How the Best Bar None is operated In order to…. Share best practice Improve Best Bar None Facilitate principles for New Best Bar None schemes

Sponsorship Mainly to help with the Best Bar None Awards Night Printing of leaflets & booklets Grants via Police, local authority What money do I make? Is it good PR? Benefits – responsible drinking, promotion, partnership working etc…. Any more reasons?

A little goes a long way Local brewers Diageo – popular – via local Area Manager – see a licensee – any with responsible drinking Fancyapint.com Crime & Drugs Partnerships Bars/clubs Bank/building societies NOCTIS Britvic Local solicitors that deal with licensing (Pubwatch) Local Radio Polycarbonate glasses company Radio systems organizations Any more?

Improvements More use of Best Bar None in Alcohol Strategy documents and Crime & Disorder Documents More national advertising – like Hotel Guides Mystery shop – Local BBN Managers & Licensees + swapping! Forms to help independents & leasees I would like to know of – any more?

Last word Club manager “I want to win the Best Overall Category… not just me…everyone should be in it. Bad clubs bring the whole city down. If every where’s safe more people will come” Full report will be available Press releases – I can help you KTP – Knowledge Transfer Partnership