Best Bar None chief aims to step up profile

Best Bar None's (BBN's) chief executive has argued the scheme is too much of a "well kept secret" and that he hopes to see it double in size in a year.

Neil Robertson, who is also the BII's chief executive, pointed to areas the scheme operates where there has been a 20 per cent cut in crime.

"The evidence from some of the more mature schemes is quite spectacular," he said.

Around 80 towns and cities are currently running BBN schemes, but Robertson said he hoped to see 150 in place by this time next year.

But he added: "We know it is a challenging time economically and politically for the trade, but here we have a proven success story."

BBN, which has just received another year's worth of government backing of around £70,000, is designed to raise standards in the licensed trade by rewarding the best operators.

Licensing minister Gerry Sutcliffe will speak at a parliamentary reception on May 7 which is being held to boost BBN's profile.

Last month it was revealed the scheme was being extended to include off-trade categories.

This met with some criticism, but Robertson has defended the decision.

"We can't have a proper solution to the problems without the off-trade," he said. "I can understand the concern, but it will be adjunct to BBN and will not diminish the brand values."

Robertson also addressed the argument that BBN would detract from his and the BII's main focus.

"We have a full-time Best Bar None officer and so it does not distract me from my BII work," he said.

"The other thing is that training is a key focus of Best Bar None, like the BII. I see it as a win-win situation."

He added that BBN was a way of promoting best practice, on top of the Licensing Act.

"Legislation is often written for the lowest common denominator and the Licensing Act sets out minimum practice," he said. Oldham situation leads to code fears

The situation in Oldham, where the council is aiming to review the licences of all the town centre's 22 on-trade venues, has caused major concern.

And Neil Robertson is worried some local authorities could adopt a similar approach with the government's proposed mandatory code for the drinks industry.

"Some local authorities will use the code sensibly," he said. "But Oldham proves there will be inconsistencies and heavy handed approaches.

"The mood of my members (towards Oldham) is astonishment and extreme disappointment."