Sheffield hospitality leaders are challenging industry peers to ‘raise the bar’ by joining an accreditation scheme that promotes safer socialising.
Best Bar None Sheffield gives licenced venues - including bars, pubs, restaurants, cinemas and other venues - which meet stringent standards - a Home Office backed accreditation.
In February, 26 first-class licenced premises received their Best Bar None awards at a glittering ceremony at Sheffield City Hall.
Now participants have joined a call for more venues to take part in the 13th edition of the scheme.
“We took part in Sheffield's Best Bar None scheme because we wanted to raise our standards”, said Dom Ng, business development manager at Guyshi on West Street.
📷 Dominic Ng from Guyshi
“The key benefit of having the status is living up to the expectations of those standards but also exceeding them, showcasing how we go above and beyond.
“We are raising the bar - literally - to showcase to our community what we are about.”
To achieve Best Bar None status, premises must pass an extensive assessment to prove public welfare is their top priority. It also looks at issues such as noise, litter, preventing underage drinking, female safety and reducing disorder or crime.
The ten highest performers are then given awards.
Amy Locke, assistant manager at this year's ‘best bar/late bar’ winner The Forum on Devonshire Street, said having the independent award helped customers feel welcomed and protected.
📷 Amy Locke from True North Brew Co.
She added: “Having Best Bar None makes sure our customers know we are always putting their safety at the forefront of our minds.
“They know all our policies are aimed towards keeping them safe.”
Sheffield Business Improvement District delivers the free Best Bar None scheme, in partnership with Sheffield City Council and South Yorkshire Police. For 2024-2025, organisers are aiming to recruit a larger variety of licenced premises.
They would like to attract more restaurants and venues from new locations close to the city centre boundary, such as Kelham Island.
Benefits for venues which take part include improved staff training or care, positive working relationships with police and licensing authorities, plus increased customer confidence.
Diane Jarvis, Head of Business Operations at Sheffield BID, said:
“Best Bar None helps encourage more people into the city centre to enjoy the thriving leisure scene - with the confidence they will be socialising safely.
“There are more than 200 licenced venues in Sheffield city centre alone which can hold a premises licence.
“Next year we would love to welcome more of them, especially venues such as hotels and theatres and restaurants, into the scheme.”
Councillor Joe Otten, Chair of Waste and Street Scene Committee at Sheffield City Council, said:
“It’s makes so much sense for all venues to be part of this fantastic scheme. Those that are already members are speaking so highly of it and the benefits it brings to their venues, and in turn, their customers.
“It’s good to see bars, restaurants and nightclubs continuing to sign up for Best Bar None and encouraging those that haven’t yet to just do it. From my conversations with venues that are part of the scheme, I know how much they put into it working with the police, local authority and other organisations in the city to do all they can to make sure people are safe on a night out.
“I see a lot of passion and determination from everyone involved and it’s great to see.”
Jessica Doncaster, South Yorkshire Police's Neighbourhood Inspector for Sheffield city centre, said:
"We want everyone who visits Sheffield to be able to have a safe, enjoyable experience in the city centre.
"We're already working in partnership with a number of Sheffield businesses who all promote safe and sensible activity within our night time economy through being a part of the Best Bar None scheme.
"I'd encourage any eligible business owner in the city to consider becoming part of it. Joining sends a clear message to anyone who steps into your venue that they are entering well-run premises that puts people's safety first."
Find out more at www.BestBarNoneSheffield.co.uk or contact the scheme project coordinator Darren Hendleman-Horne.
