Best Bar None - 2017/18
Best Bar None is an awards scheme that promotes responsibly managed licensed premises in Scotland. The overall aim of the Best Bar None initiative is for partner agencies to work together with licensed premises to create a safer and more welcoming city and town centre environments.
The Best Bar None (BBN) scheme rewards good customer care and high safety standards, resulting in licensed venues offering a more welcoming environment and a safer town or city centre. It is also about changing Scotland's relationship with alcohol.
Leading drinks companies Heineken, Molson Coors and Diageo sponsor the awards and make more consumers and venues aware of Best Bar None.
Best Bar None is administered by the Scottish Business Resilience Centre whose remit is to create a Secure Scotland for business to flourish in. By actively working with Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, the licensed trade and local partner agencies, West Lothian Council are seeking to involve even more premises year on year and create a safer Scotland.
The BBN scheme has been operational in West Lothian since 2008.
The premises are visited by the assessor and assessed on the following Sections;
- Prevention of Crime and Disorder
- Public Safety
- Prevention of Public Nuisance
- Promotion of Public Health
Success for Best Bar None Scotland's West Lothian Scheme
Ten venues in West Lothian are celebrating having been accredited status as Best Bar None Scotland venues. Eight venues were accredited with GOLD and two with SILVER, proof of the commitment to a safe and welcoming day and night life environment in West Lothian.
The 2018/19 local winners are as follows:
Black Bull Inn, Mid Calder Independent Pub Gold
Seafield Arms Hotel, Seafield Independent Pub Gold
The Cross Tavern, Whitburn Independent Pub Gold
Glenmavis Tavern, Bathgate Bar Gold
The Four Marys, Linlithgow Pub Gold
Railway Inn, West Calder Pub Gold
Livingston Inn, Livingston Pub Silver
Smiths, Bathgate Specialist Entertainment Venue Gold
The Vu, Bathgate Specialist Entertainment Venue Gold
Armadale Bowling Club, Armadale Specialist Entertainment Venue Silver
West Lothian also had a National Award Winner - The Glenmavis Tavern won the Heart of the Community Award.
Accreditation to the scheme shows the venue and its staff have met a level of standard that assures members of the public they will be able to enjoy a safe and welcoming atmosphere and exceeds the venue's responsibilities to the licensing objectives.
To be accredited BRONZE by Best Bar None the venue must have achieved all "Essential" criteria in the Best Bar None scheme. SILVER means that the venue has achieved "Essential" plus "Desirable" criteria. GOLD means that the venue has achieved both Essential and Desirable skills and is working towards bonus criteria which demonstrates the venue's innovation in their management practices.
Best Bar None has become recognised for venues delivering high standards in the licensed trade focusing on social responsibility and duty of care in support of the licensing objectives. The venues voluntarily participate and their commitment to the scheme is great to see and that Best Bar None continues to support the local community and day and night time economy.
Best Bar None is a great opportunity for premises and partner agencies in the area to work together in order to maintain safe and welcoming licensed venues. The process is very straightforward and Police Scotland and Council licensing staff are available to assist participants at all stages. Police Scotland support schemes like BBN Scotland that seek to promote a safe day and night life environment and encourage all licensed premises in West Lothian to find out about the scheme. It is a proactive way to ensure that the day and night time economy of the area is enhanced and supported by BBN by ensuring venues provide, and customers receive, the very best quality experience.
BBN in West Lothian is on a continual journey of improvement.
- West Lothian's local co-ordinator for Best Bar None can be contacted on: WestlothianBestbarnone@lbp.pnn.police.uk; (opens new window)
- We hope you will choose a Best Bar None venue for your next night out and work with us in increasing awareness of the awards scheme in your area. We would appreciate you helping to spread the word.
