Beth Burns, manager of Wetherspoon pub The Queens Hotel in Maltby and chair of Maltby Pubwatch has received a top award for her efforts to reduce crime and improve community cohesion in the town.
She has been given a National Pubwatch Award of Merit, which rewards individuals that have contributed to the success of pubwatch schemes. The award is sponsored by GBG.
National Pubwatch is a voluntary organisation, which supports over 800 Pubwatch schemes across the UK, and works to promote safe, secure and social drinking environments in all licensed premises throughout the UK.
Beth was recognised for her work to improve the safety, security and wellbeing of staff and customers in her pub and in the wider Pubwatch community as well her positive efforts to engage with the police and council.
She has spearheaded meetings with the local police team, also inviting Ward Councillors and the local council to discuss issues, share intelligence and propose ways to resolve challenges. Due to her efforts, violence in pubs and anti-social behaviour is on the decline and there has been an increase in footfall and families visiting venues.
The Pubwatch has also become a catalyst for community engagement, with members now fully involved with local activities to bring the community together. These include distraction events for youths on bonfire night to target and discourage poor behaviour, community walks to tackle loneliness and litter picking events to restore a feeling of pride in the area.
The scheme has also been instrumental in campaigning for improvements in local infrastructure to public spaces, such as installation of public CCTV and lighting, as well as implementation of different approaches to anti-social behaviour such as the implementation of a no alcohol zone.
Beth Burns, manager of The Queens Hotel in Maltby and chair of Maltby Pubwatch, said:
“It is great to be recognised with this National Pubwatch Award. Partnership working with other stakeholders in the local area has really worked in bringing the community together.”
Wetherspoon chief executive John Hutson said:
“We are immensely proud of Beth. She is an outstanding licensee and richly deserves her award.”
National Pubwatch chair Steve Baker said:
“It is great for National Pubwatch to be able to recognise individuals that have really made a difference to their local communities. Beth has been spearheading a range of initiatives that have made Maltby a safer place to go out and her success in doing this through partnership working is something to be praised.”
