The Best Bar None Awards scheme was developed by the Greater Manchester
Police's City Centre Safe project as part of its remit to address alcohol
related crime. Work in this area was as a result of the findings of the
British Crime Survey in 2001 and other local data analysis, which showed
that a significantly high proportion of crime (both violent and
acquisitive) was directly or indirectly, attached to licensed premises with
poor management standards.
Development work on the awards began in Manchester in late 2001, as
extensive discussions were held with various bodies within the alcohol
industry to devise a way of setting a common benchmark of operating
standards for pubs and clubs.
The scheme has been adopted in various counties, cities and towns
throughout England . It has the support of the national trade associations
like the Bar Entertainment Dance Association, Association of Licensed
Multiple Retailer and the British Beer Association.
Best Bar None is increasingly becoming recognised as a quality brand by all
that are positively involved with licensed premises and the alcohol
industry.
Locally, Leeds was an active and successful participant in the West
Yorkshire Best Bar None scheme in 2006. Such is the number of licensed
premises in the Leeds Metropolitan area and the interest in 2006, that it
was decided that in 2007 Leeds would stage it's very won Best Bar None,
hosted by Safer Leeds, the local Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership.
Best Bar None Leeds 2007 will be officially launched on 26 March 2007.
