On 10 July 2013 the Diageo National Pubwatch Awards 2013 were presented at the Annual All-Party Parliamentary Beer Awards Dinner with the Blackpool Pubwatch scheme scooping the top prize. The scheme’s impressive range of responsible drinking initiatives and clear commitment to working with partners throughout the local community was applauded by the judges.
Also recognised through receiving ‘highly commended’ honours at the awards were the Dalston Pubwatch and Bawtry Licence Watch; with the judges congratulating the teams for demonstrating an outstanding contribution to promoting social responsibility in their local areas. The judges praised the finalists for their commitment to working with local police, councils and residents to find solutions to local issues affecting their areas. For example:
- In addition to delivering an impressive range of initiatives and advanced training to all scheme members in conflict management, drug awareness and first aid, Blackpool Pubwatch has also created a ‘Late Night Crime Reduction Fund’ which will aim to finance initiatives such as Taxi-Marshall.
- Dalston Pubwatch operators contribute to a voluntary fund to pay for council wardens to patrol the streets on the busiest nights of the week. The wardens target the streets with the highest levels of complaints from residents and can issue fines for those caught committing anti-social behaviour.
- The Bawtry Licence Watch team fund two Security Industry Authority licensed Nightlife Ambassadors, who patrol the town centre with radios and cameras, offering support and advice to those visiting the area at night and reporting any issues or concerns directly to the police
Mark Baird, Head of Industry Affairs and Alcohol Policy at award sponsors Diageo GB, said: “Partnership schemes like Pubwatch make a real difference to local communities and it is fantastic to see so many more places getting involved in the programme through this year’s awards. Recognising the vital contribution that the night time economy makes, at Diageo we are committed to supporting the on-trade sector and we want to congratulate Blackpool, as well as Dalston and Bawtry, for setting such a high standard and demonstrating so brilliantly what can be achieved.”
Steve Baker, Chairman of National Pubwatch, said: “This is the second year running that we have been able to make this award available to local Pubwatch schemes thanks to Diageo’s support and we are delighted with both the number and quality of applications received. The awards acknowledge the fantastic work undertaken by local Pubwatch Schemes across the UK and their efforts to improve safety for all. We offer our congratulations to this year’s winners and hope the great example that Blackpool, Dalston and Bawtry have set, inspires others to look at what they can do within their own communities.”
