New BBN schemes hailed a success

Eight new Best Bar None (BBN) schemes have hailed their first year of operation a great success.

The scheme, which rewards pubs and bars for responsible retailing standards, is being rolled out on a national level.

Bournemouth BBN has launched two new categories for its 2009 competition — Best Conurbation Venue for outlying areas and Best Family Venue.

"We feel that our first year of Best Bar None in 2008 was a great success and we are planning to build on this in the forthcoming year," said Bournemouth BBN's Jon Shipp.

"The two new categories have been developed from feedback from both licensees and the authorities.

He added, "Bournemouth covers a wide geographical area with other small towns making up the wider Bournemouth area. It was important for licensed premises in these outlying area to be involved with BBN but they felt they do not always fit within the existing categories so the Conurbation Venue category has been introduced.

"In the same way, family venues are very different from other pubs and bars and the scheme wanted to reflect their important place in both the day and night time economy of the wider Bournemouth area. These venues would have specific areas of scoring during the assessment in addition to the standard form."

Lord Redesdale, chairman of BBN, added: "We are delighted with the feedback from new schemes. They are telling us that BBN is a powerful tool in enhancing their evening economy and that it is warmly welcomed by licensees from all types of venues. Reacting to unique, local needs, as Bournemouth BBN has, is the way forward for more involvement from more venues in subsequent years."