1. Best Bar None
Northamptonshire 2018
In Partnership with

2. What is Best Bar None and what is in it for you?
A nationally recognised scheme adopted by 75 towns and cities in the UK which began in Manchester in From 2010 until 2016 held in Northampton and latterly county-wide in Northamptonshire.
An accreditation scheme recognised by the Home Office, police and local authorities, community safety partnerships and the drinks industry aimed at promoting responsible management and operation of alcohol licensed premises.
A means for you as an alcohol licensed venue to thoroughly review and improve the management and operation at your venue.
To help guide you and your staff in giving your customers a enjoyable and predominantly safe night out.
To gain local and potentially national recognition as an accredited and therefore safe venue for patrons to come to. Locally sponsored by Carlsberg UK and the OPCC.

3. The Wider Purpose of BBN
To reduce alcohol related crime and disorder
To build a positive relationship between licensed trade, police and local authorities and the private sector
To improve knowledge and skills of enforcement and regulation agencies, licensees and bar staff to help them responsibly manage licensed premises
Process of becoming recognised by BBN includes meeting minimum standards and culminates with a high profile award night with category winners and an overall winner
Responsible licensees and staff are recognised and able to share good practice with others
Highlight how operating more responsibly can improve the profitability of an individual business and attractiveness of a general area

4. Timetable for BBN Northamptonshire2018
Feb – Mar 2018 – Promotion and Marketing of Best Bar None (presentation events, Pubwatch, social media)
Mar – 15th May – Application phase (application forms available from Northants Police Licensing and your local authority Licensing Team
16th May – 15th September – Assessment Phase ( an accredited assessor(s) will contact you or nominated point of contact at the premises and arrange an assessment date and time. Assessments will take between 3 to 3 hours. The more organised you are the quicker it will be)
16th Sept – Oct 15th (date TBA) - Judging Panel (a panel of judges will meet to inspect applications and assessments from highest scoring venues in each of five geographically defined areas of the county and decide on a winner in each of two categories. See next slide)
October 16th – November 15th – Awards Night (to be held in a licensed premises within the county somewhere, volunteer welcome, with attendance of all accredited venues, assessors, sponsors and dignitaries with certificates and awards ceremony, entertainment and food. Publicity to follow.)

5. Award Categories
The county will be split into five geographical areas: Northampton – as defined by the borough of Northampton. Wellingborough & East Northants – any premises within the two LA boundaries Kettering – As defined by LA boundary Daventry& South Northants - as defined by both LA boundaries. Corby – As defined by the LA boundary.
There will also be two venue type categories for venues to enter into:
1. Pub/Bar (any pub or bar whose normal licensing hours go no later than 01.00hrs)
2. Late Night Venue (any bar/pub/nightclub whose regular licensing hours go beyond hrs.
As well as any premises attaining BBN accreditation getting a certificate and plaque there will be a further awards for the winning venues decided on by a judging panel and selected from top three scorers in each category in each geographical area, plus an overall county award selected by the panel from the 10 area winners.

6. Assessment Criteria There are three types of assessment criteria:
Essential Criteria – these you must attain 100% in order to get a Best Bar None Accreditation These will be marked E1, E2 etc in the scoring criteria booklet you will be provided with upon application to the scheme.
Desired Criteria – a level at which BBN accredited venues should aspire to. These will be marked D1, D2 etc.
Bonus Criteria – bonus points for evidenced best practice. These will be marked B1, B2 etc.

7. What is Assessed?
In total there are 69 criteria broken down into 6 defined sections – 36 essential, 22 desired & 11 bonus. The sections are the four licensing objectives plus two further sections pertinent to the issues faced in todays night-time economies:
Section A - Prevention of Crime & Disorder
Section B - Public safety
Section C - Prevention of Public Nuisance
Section D- Protection of Children from Harm
Section E - Social Responsibility
Section F - Training
Presenter adds more detail using scoring booklet

8. What guidance will I get through the process?
All the assessors are qualified to BIIAB Level2 in Assessment of Licensed Premises (Social Responsibility)
All are professionals in either Police, Environment Health or Fire authorities.
They are not just there to pass or fail you – they are instructed to assist you in preparing for your inspection as far as is practicable. However it is for you to do the work and assessors are there in an advisory capacity free of charge.
There is also a range of templates and guidance documents available through your assessors from National Best Bar None.
What is in it for us ? – We hope to see improved management of licensed premises which in turn helps us keep people in Northamptonshire safe.