Which town centre bar outshines the rest?

The Best Bar None logo

Town centre licensed premises are gearing up to find out who has won the prestigious Rochdale Best Bar None Awards for 2010/2011.

Last month, the licensed premises of Rochdale town centre went through a gruelling assessment to find out if they meet the high standards of the Best Bar None Accreditation Scheme.

Best Bar None is the UK’s national award scheme aimed at promoting responsible management and operation of alcohol licensed premises. Rochdale Borough Council’s licensing department in partnership with Rochdale Town Centre Management carry out the project, which forms part of the Rochdale Town Centre Business Awards 2010/2011.

The aim of Best Bar None is to reduce alcohol related crime and disorder in a town centre by building a positive relationship between the licensed trade, police and local authorities. It reduces the harmful effects of binge drinking as well as improves the knowledge and skills of enforcement and regulation agencies, licensees and bar staff to help them responsibly manage licensed premises.

The following Rochdale town centre venues volunteered to be part of the Best Bar None scheme 2010/11 in order to gain accreditation - The Baum, Koko, Bojangles (formerly Kandi Club), Mango, Pacific, East, The Roebuck, Litten Tree and The Regal Moon. Additionally the Edwin Waugh in Heywood has also been assessed.

The venues that fulfil all the Best Bar None criteria are accredited and given a plaque to display outside the venue. This will reassure customers that they are entering safe and responsible premises.

Venues will find out if they have been accredited at the Rochdale Town Centre Business Awards 2010/2011 which will take place on Friday 13 May at The Broadfield Park Hotel.

There are 3 awards up for grabs, which will be also be announced and presented on this night. A judging panel, made up of Roger Ellis, Chief Executive of Rochdale Borough Council, Chief Superintendent John O’Hare of GMP and Cllr Terry Linden. They will award a winner and runner-up for each of the categories.

The awards are Best Pub, Best Bar/Club, both sponsored by Rochdale Safer Communities Partnership and Best Overall sponsored by Rochdale Borough Council Licensing.

Jeanette Staley, Community Safety Manager said: “A safe night time economy is a priority for the Rochdale Safer Communities Partnership.

“We recognise the hard work undertaken by the management of the night time venues to make their premises safe and enjoyable.

“The partnership is pleased to sponsor the award and look forward to working with the venues in the future.”

Andy Glover, Interim Public Protection Manager said: “As an enforcement agency we are usually seen as the people who want to prevent businesses from doing things, however working together with town centre management to deliver Best Bar None has enabled us to work effectively to raise standards and to help to improve the evening economy as such we are extremely proud to sponsor the Best Bar None Award.”