OTS p18-19 Best Bar None Jun09.qxp 28/05/2009 15:17 Page 18
business building · best bar none
Independents can be
best bar none too
For an independently run venue, entering Best Bar None awards may seem like a lot of hard work, but for
many Glasgow venues it’s a worthwhile way to ensure compliance with the new Licensing Act, and give their
business a health check. OTS spoke to The Doublet pub and Byblos nightclub to see why they’ve entered the
awards this year.
Alistair Don is a man who knows how to run a 2005, principles that Best Bar None is based things you may have missed. It’ll help advise
pub. He’s been at The Doublet in the west upon. “If you’re compliant with the Act, then pubs that enter and its something that can
end of Glasgow since 1974, and has seen you’re compliant with Best Bar None,” he certainly help a business move forward.”
unfathomable changes to the trade in the says, although he adds that some licensees Now for the £30 fee it costs to enter the
intervening years. Now more than ever, social may be put off entering due to a reticence awards, doesn’t that represent value for
responsibility plays a major part in the running that they may not be compliant with all 18 money? And that’s even before any awards
of any venue, and that’s why he’s entering the principles of Best Bar None – but as Alistair are handed out at the luncheon at City
Best Bar None awards this year. himself found as he read his way through the Chambers later in the year.
“I’m totally in agreement with Best Bar entry form, many aspects of the way a pub is Also entering for the first time, Byblos is a
None, although I can see why it’s difficult for run are part of the awards scheme. Merchant City nightclub whose reputation
independent pubs like ourselves to get “Every pub should support it, the principles within in the city is improving following a
involved. Big groups with admin departments are correct and are creating a partnership with change of management in recent months. The
can enter easily,” he says. “Individuals don’t everyone involved.” venue, owned by Merchant City Properties –
maybe have that luxury, but we’re running Alistair also says that above all else, Best which also owns cocktail bar Metropolitan and
businesses just as well as the groups.” Bar None is a health check for your business leases out several other units in Merchant
Alistair believes that the standards at this – comparing it to a CPD (Continually Square, is now undergoing a change in
year’s awards will be high due to many Professional Development). “During the procedures which new house manager
venues becoming more compliant with the inspection it’s like someone looking at your Andrew McKenzie believes will push it into
principles of the Licensing (Scotland) Act business through their eyes, so they’ll identify being a much more responsible outlet, and
Independent pubs like The Doublet
have much to gain from the Best Bar None scheme.
· 18 · ots · june 2009 · www.55north.com
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