The Canterbury Best Bar None scheme is supported by Safer Streets funding from the Home Office, launched in October 2022 to assist customers in identifying accredited well-run pubs, bars, clubs and other businesses that serve alcohol. This scheme is governed by Kent Police, Canterbury Business Improvement District (BID) and Canterbury Community Safety Partnership and this committee is supported by a wider partnership of businesses, statutory agencies, charities and the drinks and hospitality industries.
Best Bar None Accreditation
The accreditation assesses against four themes:
- Venue management: assesses security measures and steps taken to reduce noise, litter and other effects the business may have.
- Staff training and care: considershow staff are supported by the business to perform their role, develop and grow, and to protect their wellbeing.
- Customer safety and welfare: reviews how well the venue takes care of its customers including preventing alcohol being sold to those under 18.
- Customer service and community: recognises that businesses work hard to provide a warm welcome to their customers and the communities they are part of.
Accreditation lasts for a year, and the assessment is regularly updated to ensure current priorities such as ASB and the safety of women and girls are included. Every accredited venue displays an in-date accreditation window sticker, ensuring customers know they are entering a safer venue plus a personalised report with advice and ideas about how to provide an even safer and more welcoming place for customers to have fun and socialise.
Accredited Venue Awards
All accredited businesses received an invitation to the annual award ceremony.
The 2022/23 ceremony was held in March 2023 at Kent County Cricket Club. In addition to awards issued to licensed premises, they were able to nominate their staff for special recognition for maintaining Canterbury as a safe place to live, work, socialise and visit. Accredited venues displayed the following sticker and the accreditation lasts 12 months.
You can read more about the ceremony and see the full photo album of this event HERE
Best Bar None Partners
Kent Police – Additional Police Operations providing a visible presence to improve the feeling of safety around local streets and towns.
Canterbury BID – Delivering the Zero Tolerance accreditation scheme, designed for licensed venues in Canterbury City Centre to show they are trained to recognise and tackle sexual harassment and discrimination aimed at both customers and staff.
Canterbury Community Safety Partnership – The Canterbury Community Safety Partnership brings together a wide range of agencies who work together to keep crime low, prevent anti-social behaviour and ensure the district is a safe place for residents, businesses and visitors.
Zero Tolerance
Zero Tolerance has been running for 5 years and is recognised locally as the industry standard, originally funded by the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner and now managed by Canterbury BID.
Free training is offered to the management of licensed premises to combat issues such as Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and drink spiking, which they can then cascade to their staff as part of their induction.
Drink Spiking
The feeling of being spiked can be scary and leave you feeling vulnerable. Spikings can happen in three different ways; Drugs added to a drink, Drugs being injected and additional alcohol being added to drinks.
Drink spiking is addressed at accredited venues with drink testing strips and glass toppers to increase safety, along with staff training on how to support you. Should you believe that you or a friend have been spiked, inform a member of staff as soon as possible and they will take care of you. This will involve seeking medical care if required, informing the police and testing drinks. The important thing to remember is that spikings are rare, but look out for each other, don’t leave drinks unattended and if you think you need help, ask.
Ask for Angela
A Best Bar None venue will have trained staff to assist you if you ever feel uncomfortable in a situation within their premises. Just approach any member of staff and “Ask for Angela”. This is a code word to alert staff that you need support, and they will take care of you. Venues will display posters like the one below
