Licensees 'humiliated' over BII NITAs

Two of the finalists in the BII's Licensee Trainer of the Year competition say they feel "humiliated" by the decision not to give out the award.

The BIIAB decided not to present the headline award because they "felt that none had yet achieved their full potential or comprehensively met the very high standard we have set in this category", despite shortlisting three candidates.

BII boss Neil Robertson stressed the Licensee Trainer of the Year is only awarded to those that reach a pre-set standard and is not awarded on a "best in class" basis.

Helen Wood of the Broad Leys Bar Restaurant, Aylesbury said she had been left disillusioned by the whole affair. "This was the only award for licensees and no-one won it.

"It has taken away any pride I had in getting to the final," she said. "We were built up and crushed and it wasn't necessary.

"It is not a good advert for entering the awards, you spend the time entering and then it is not even awarded. Why would you bother?

"It is embarrassing telling my customers and staff that no-one was considered good enough to win the award. Why select the finalists in the first place?"

Wood also asked why the process did not include a mystery shopper visit to the pubs.

Steve Blake of Benson Blakes Bar and Grill in Bury St Edmunds entered his son Tim into the awards. "I think it is an insult and totally humiliating," he said. "We would not have minded if someone had won.

"I think it is appalling and the BII, our supposed national body, should be ashamed of itself. What signals does that send out apart from the fact that our industry is so bad at training."

BII chief executive Neil Robertson said: "Being shortlisted for the licensee award means the judges thought they were at least good. The top prize doesn't simply go to the best in the year.

"Of course we wanted to make an award — this is after all the category closest to our core mission. But for that reason we can't and won't compromise. If we don't think it's excellent we won't say so. All the entrants will receive feedback to explain what the judges liked and what they need to do to be seen as excellent.

"So, although I regret any discomfort, I am proud of a process that makes judgments impartially and non-politically."