4/4/23: Sheffield Business Improvement District and Sheffield City Council held a successful launch event for a new City Centre Best Bar None scheme and also a new Licence (Pub) Watch Scheme. The event was held at the Genting Casino in Arundel Gate.
The event which was attended by 106 delegates from the night-time economy and included Sheffield City Council Chief Executive, Kate Josephs, the President of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, Karen Mosley, six guest speakers and representatives from over 35 licensed venues.
The launch of the two schemes follows on from Sheffield receiving the Purple Flag award for the 11th consecutive year and the launch of the Sheffield Women & Girls Night-Time Safety Charter late last year.
Although delivered in partnership, it is the venues, their managers, and the licensees from around the city centre that are the true driving force behind this success. It was amazing to see so many people from the night-time economy in one place, coming together to support these schemes and work in partnership to improve the night-time economy.
The launch heard from several guest speakers including David Lucas, Director of the National Best Bar None Scheme and Steve Baker, OBE, Chairman of the National Pub Watch Scheme. At the end of his presentation Steve Baker OBE, presented five National Pub Watch “Star Awards” to local licensees for their outstanding commitment and contribution to the night-time economy in Sheffield.
Left to right: Steve Baker OBE, Kate Baxendale, Mark Hobson, Malcolm Sissons, Tam Ali, Nic Simmonite and Jeremy Scorer of HIT Training Ltd
The award was presented to the committee members of the UNight trade group, having been nominated by Steve Lonnia, the Council’s Lead Officer for the Night-Time Economy:
- Nic Simmonite – Chair of UNight and General Manager at the Frog & Parrot
- Malcom Sissons – UNight Committee Member and Chairman of Sheffield Pub Watch for many years
- Kate Baxendale – UNight Committee Member and General Manager at Tank Nightclub
- Mark Hobson – UNight Committee Member and Owner of Corporation Nightclub
- Tam Ali – UNight Committee Member and General Manager of West Street Live
The Star Award is sponsored by HIT Training Ltd www.hittraining.co.uk
Steve Lonnia, Sheffield City Council’s Lead Officer for the Night-Time Economy said: “The attendance at the launch was truly rewarding and shows the commitment of the night-time industry and its staff to work in partnership for the benefit of our great city. I would like to say thank you to all those who attended, and we hope that this is only the start making Sheffield the place to be, if you want a good night out, come to Sheffield and have the best night out.”
