Exeter Best Bar None celebrates first anniversary

Exeter’s Best Bar None scheme is celebrating great success on its first anniversary. 

Since the scheme launched In March 2015, sixty premises have signed up to the programme which promotes responsible management and operation of alcohol licensed premises and aims to make Exeter a safer and more vibrant place for those living, working and visiting the city.  

The group held an event to mark the one year anniversary at city centre venue, Hole in the Wall, which saw around fifty venue managers attend, to hear from speakers Dominic Borg, Best Bar None Chairman; Mick McDonnell, Best Bar None National Co-ordinator; Craig Bulley, Exeter Business Improvement District Chief Executive and Superintendent Sam de Reya, Devon and Cornwall Police. 

Best Bar None Chairman Dominic Borg, said: “We are delighted that forty-three of the city’s licensed premises have already gained Best Bar None accreditation following inspection by independent assessors.  The rigorous assessment is a marker of a well-managed, responsible, venue.  We urge members of the public to look out for the accreditation, which is identifiable by a certificate and a plaque displayed within each accredited venue.”

Since its launch Exeter’s Best Bar None scheme has partnered with a range of different organisations across the city, including Exeter City Council, Devon & Cornwall Police, Trading Standards, Exeter Community Safety Partnership and the University of Exeter.  Together with these groups, Exeter Best Bar None has supported projects including the Street Pastors and the Help Zone and introduced a Street Marshal scheme, which has improved issues during the early hours as the late night venues close. 

For its work, the Exeter scheme achieved national recognition, being voted top three, out of the thirty-four schemes in operation across the country, in two categories ‘Best Overall Scheme 2015’ and ‘Best New Scheme’.  The team were presented with these awards in a ceremony at the House of Lords last month.

Exeter Business Improvement District (Exeter BID) has recently become a supporter of the scheme.  Craig Bulley said:  “The Best Bar None scheme has achieved impressive results in its first year and has had a really positive impact on the night-time city centre environment including a 4% reduction in anti-social behaviour.  We are pleased to support the group, to ensure it can further build on its success and encourage more city venues to apply for Best Bar None status.”

To find out more about the scheme please visit www.bestbarnoneexeter.co.uk