IPSWICH IS BEST BAR NONE - 2011/12

Ipswich's nationally-renowned Best Bar None scheme celebrated its second year of accreditations for pubs, clubs and bars, with a stunning industry award's night at the Ipswich Corn Exchange on Thursday 16^th February 2012.

The event was held to celebrate all the hard work, time and effort put in by licensed premises across the Borough to create vibrant, attractive and well managed premises for their visitors. "Best Bar None is a little bit like a "quality assured" stamp, commented Ady Smith, owner of The Dove and Chair of Bar Watch. "It highlights to our customers that we have their well-being at the core of our business."

More than 120 guests attended the night, which was hosted by PC John Alcock and supported by Ipswich Borough Council, Ipswich Central, Suffolk Constabulary, Ashton KCJ, Diageo, Ipswich Star, ITFC, Molson Coors, Hyline, Security, USC and Matthew Clark.

The overall Ipswich Best Bar None Winners award for 2011/12 went to the nightclub - Groove. The Manager, Darren Smith commented, "We are delighted to win the overall Best Bar None Award - absolutely delighted, especially with the big increase in applications this year. I think Ipswich should be really pleased to have such a large number of accredited premises and of course to be recognised for our efforts is an honour."

Cllr Neil Macdonald, Safer Ipswich portfolio-holder said; "I want to give my warmest congratulations to all the winners but also my thanks to all premises that work with us to make Ipswich Best Bar None the success it is. A lot of hard work goes into the scheme but I believe we are making a real difference when it comes to making the town a safer and more enjoyable environment."

Nationally the scheme has been set up to build on Good Practice and lead to an enhanced customer experience within licensed premises.

Best Bar None raises standards and rewards excellence for those venues that attain the Award standard. This is delivered at a local level by Ipswich Borough Council, Suffolk Constabulary and Ipswich Central.

The Awards are based on core national standards with local flexibility to ensure they address local needs.

The assessment of the licensed premises was carried out by trained, impartial assessors, who ensured consistency of approach. The assessment criteria was set up to be clear and straight forward, with a minimum of bureaucracy and with an emphasis on constructive feedback provided to all entrants.

Assistant Chief Constable Paul Marshall said: "Best Bar None is a fantastic scheme, which is going from strength-to-strength in Ipswich.

"It gives Suffolk Constabulary the opportunity to work closely with key partners, including local licensees, to progress a series of initiatives which together help make Ipswich an even safer place for enjoying a night out.

"The benefits of the BBN scheme and other initiatives are clear to see: the last two-years has seen a reduction in nighttime economy crime and violence."

The Ipswich Star award for "People's Choice" went to Bowmans with over 30% of the votes. Owner Rob Pooley commented; "We are so pleased to have won this award - it means so much to us that our customers wanted to show their appreciation of the work we have done. After all, we do it for their enjoyment so this is a very important accolade to us".

Executive Director Paul Clement commented; "We are very lucky as a town to have so many excellent venues for people to enjoy. The Best Bar None scheme highlights these as great, well-run premises to enjoy as part of the Ipswich experience, which is an important message to visitors."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

• BEST BAR NONE CATEGORY WINNERS LIST 2011/12

ACCREDITED PREMISES:

• Aqua 8
• Thomas Wolsey
• Betty Ford
• Black Horse Inn
• Bowmans
• Cock and Pye
• Bar Sport
• Ipswich Town Hall & Corn Exchange
• Cricketers
• Curve Bar
• Fat Cat
• Golden Lion
• Groove
• Ipswich Regent
• Ipswich Town Football Club
• Isaacs
• Kingfisher
• Liquid & Envy
• No. 16
• Quayside
• The New Spread Eagle
• Tates
• The Dove Street Inn
• Golden Hind
• Raven
• Rep
• Robert Ransome
• Kai
• Vodka Rev
• Zing

MORE INFORMATION:

Contact Caroline Elias-Stephenson on 07894 296645 or e-mail :caroline.elias-stephenson@ipswich.gov.uk