An initiative to promote best practices within pubs and clubs honoured no less than twenty-one Leith hostelries at an event held at the City Chambers last night. The Best Bar None Scheme has operated in Leith for the past two years, and last night’s awards were a showcase of best practice as well as a celebration of Leith’s top bars.
The awards are unique to the licensed trade and involve an accreditation process that sets minimum standards of operation for venues in consultation with the Scottish Business Crime Centre, while promoting the sharing of best practice to ensure high standards of safety.
It encourages the licensed trade to work in partnership with Lothian and Borders Police, the City of Edinburgh Council and Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service, in order to make their premises safer, and reduce alcohol-related crime and irresponsible drinking.
At the ceremony, which is sponsored by Diageo, Heneiken and Molson Coors, 21 premises were presented with Gold, Silver or Bronze awards for their participation and contribution to the scheme.
The Victoria Bar in Leith Walk has been named “Top Bar”, while the Leith Beer Company on The Shore has won the “Top Pub” award.
Both of these venues will now be nominated to go forward for the National Awards.
Councillor Eric Milligan, Convener of the Licensing Board, said: “The Best Bar None scheme has proved to be very popular and I’m delighted that it has proved to be such a success in Leith. It allows licensed premises to provide the best service possible and also reassures the public that they can enjoy a safe and happy night out and experience everything that the area has to offer.”
Lothian and Borders Police Licensing Inspector, Lynne Symington said: “When the public enjoy a night out within Leith they are entiled to do in a safe and secure surrounding. Managers have a responsibility to ensure to do all they can to deter criminal activity and that the terms of their licence are adhered to at all times. The Best Bar None scheme helps us recognise those premsies who work alongside police and other partner agencies to achieve best practice and help keep our communities safe when out socialising.”
The winning pubs and the award they received:
GOLD
Victoria 265 Leith Walk
Boda Bar 229 Leith Walk
Parlour 142 Duke Street
Bond No.9 84 Commercial Street
Sofi’s Bar 63-65 Henderson Street
Leith Beer Company 58 Shore
SILVER
Links Tavern 7 Restalrig Road
Carriers Quarters 42 Bernard Street
Granary 32-34 Shore
Cruz 14 Shore
Teuchter’s Landing 1c Dock Place
Malmaison 1 Tower Place
Foot of the Walk 7a Duke Street
King’s Wark 36 Shore
Malt & Hops 45 Shore
Marksman 13 Duke Street
BRONZE
Middleton’s 69 Easter Road
Four in Hand 218 Easter Road
Central Bar 7-9 Leith Walk
Tamson’s 280 Easter Road
Tam O’Shanter 39 Great Junction Street
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