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Best in Durham - bar none
Monday 13 October 2008
In March this year a competition was launched to find the best-run venue in the city centre area. All 52 licensees were invited to take part in the scheme, which was launched as part of ‘Nightsafe’ – a multi-agency strategy aimed at managing the booming night time economy in Durham.
Since then the 'Best Bar None' assessors have visited nearly three dozen premises, looking at issues such as the facilities provided for customers, staff training, security, measures implemented to combat binge drinking and the use of 'shatterproof' polycarbonate glasses.
The awards ceremony takes place at the Ramside Hall Hotel in Durham tomorrow evening, Tuesday 14th October. There will be one winner in each of four categories - best bar, best pub, best nightclub and best college bar - with one of the four winners then taking the overall 'Best Bar None' prize.
The successful licensee gets a specially-designed silver trophy and plaque to display on site for the next twelve months, along with various promotional materials.
The Mayor of the City of Durham, Cllr Grenville Holland said; "What a fabulous scheme this has been, the judging has been so close and credit must go to all of the participating licensees. The culmination of the competition in a glittering awards evening is so rightly deserved."
Chief Supt Trevor Watson, the north area commander. "The number of licensed premises in the city centre has grown significantly over the years and 'Best Bar None' was launched with a view to highlighting good practice,"
"We have been delighted with the interest shown by the licensed trade in the scheme. All the bars taking part had to go through a lengthy application process followed by a rigorous assessment, which looked at just about every aspect of their business. The overall winner will be the bar or pub which provides the safest environment for its customers and works alongside other agencies to tackle any issues which arise,"