Woking Best Bar None 2013

17 January 2013

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Woking Best Bar None 2013 is now open for applications and is bigger and better than before, as restaurants and food-led premises can now join pubs and bars, to compete for the coveted Overall Best Bar None Award!

Sponsored by international drinks firm, Miller Brands, Best Bar None is a national scheme supported by the Home Office, aimed at promoting and encouraging the responsible management and operation of licensed premises across the Borough.

The scheme launched in 2012 to pubs, clubs and bars and, after a successful year, its doors are now open to Woking Borough-based licensed food establishments, with Woking Best Bar None launching the first bespoke restaurant criteria in the UK. This year, premises can also benefit from free staff training and an apprenticeship scheme.

Cllr Carl Thomson, Woking Borough Council's Portfolio Holder for Licensing, said: "Last year, we had a fantastic response from local licensed premises, with The Sovereigns taking the title of Miller Brands UK Overall Best Bar None. Following its success, we listened to feedback from the trade and we're delighted to be the first in the country to open up the scheme to local restaurants and food premises.

"Applications are now open and I'd encourage landlords and restaurant owners to get involved for their chance to be crowned victorious in one of this year's awards."

This year's awards include:

  • Miller Brands UK Overall Best Bar None Award

  • Surrey Advertiser Public Choice Award

  • Best Bar Award

  • Best Late Bar Award

  • Best Local Pub Award

  • Best Town Centre Pub Award

  • Best Food-led Pub Award

  • Best Restaurant Award

  • Services to Licensing Award

Venues that sign up to the scheme will be visited by licensing officers from Woking Borough Council and Surrey Police to assess how well they meet current licensing and trading laws. Those meeting the Best Bar None criteria will be recognised by the scheme and authorised to display a gold, silver or bronze sticker in their premise's window.

Points will be awarded for steps taken to prevent crime and disorder, plans for ensuring public safety, dealing with public nuisance like noise litter and waste, and demonstrating steps to protect children from harm, such as having a robust proof of age policy in place.

All accredited venues will then have the chance to win one of nine awards, chosen by an independent panel of judges. There is also a chance for the public to vote for their favourite establishment in the Surrey Advertiser Public Choice Award.

Jonathan Bennett, Head of Corporate Affairs at Miller Brands (UK), lead sponsor of Woking Best Bar None, said: "After such a successful year last year, Miller Brands is delighted to be the lead sponsor for Woking Best Bar None once again in our home town. It demonstrates the positive difference that can be made through working together across different sectors to address issues locally. The scheme had an amazing response last year and successful premises are proudly displaying their window stickers and winning plaques, indicative of their responsible management. We're confident that the scheme will bring huge benefits for people who want to enjoy Woking's night-time economy and would encourage all licensed premises in the Borough to get involved."

Woking Best Bar None is sponsored by Miller Brands, and supported by the The Surrey Advertiser, Eagle Radio, Surrey Alcohol Responsibility Initiative (SARI) and Drinkaware.

If you are a pub, club, bar or licensed food establishment, and would like to find out more about the Best Bar None scheme, please visit www.wokingbbn.co.uk or contact Sam Marshall, Woking Borough Council's Licensing Officer, on 01483 743650 or email sam.marshall@woking.gov.uk

Further information

Lead sponsor

Miller Brands is the local operating company for multinational brewer SABMiller. Based in Woking, Miller Brands is responsible for the development of premium beer brands in the UK including Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Pilsner Urquell, Miller Genuine Draft and the on-trade exclusive Czech lager, Kozel. Via its consistent pricing and distribution discipline, supplemented by engaging marketing activities, Miller Brands is bringing value back into the beer category. And through our diverse workforce and agile, innovative culture we aim to change the way people think about beer. For more information about Miller Brands please visit www.millerbrands.co.uk

Media partner

The Surrey Advertiser has been serving the Woking community since 1864. We are one of the longest running regional titles in the country and have a loyal and dedicated following. As well as news, sport and entertainment we also have community, schools and business sections in our paper and online at www.getsurrey.co.uk

96.4 Eagle Radio is the station that loves Surrey and Hampshire and is the local commercial radio station for Woking. We are proud to support the town`s pubs, bars, restaurants and nightclubs and look forward to celebrating the success of Woking`s top venues. Find out more about us at www.964eagle.co.uk

Supported by:

Surrey Alcohol Responsibility Initiative (SARI) is a forum for those working on and interested in addressing local issues related to alcohol - and who share the belief that more can be achieved through positive collaboration.

SARI brings together a range of organisations, including the Police, NHS, Woking Borough Council, local businesses, Eagle Radio and Surrey Chambers of Commerce.

The initiative is focused on Woking and aims to improve alcohol responsibility issues in the local community through a series of initiatives including the introduction of alcohol awareness sessions in local schools and training for small off-licence retailers, and distributing responsible drinking advice to local businesses.

Drinkaware is an independent, UK-wide charity, Drinkaware aims to change the UK's drinking habits for the better by promoting responsible drinking through innovative ways to challenge the national drinking culture to help reduce alcohol misuse and minimise alcohol-related harm.