Amanda was nominated by Robin McGowan Chief Executive of Salisbury BID.
She is the Managing Director of Chapel Night Club and the Chairperson of Salisbury Pubwatch. The Pubwatch has been in operation for over 20 years. Robin says that throughout this time she has been the backbone of the organisation and that she works extremely well, not only with Pubwatch venues but also the numerous city stakeholders that are engaged with Pubwatch and its objectives.
She was one of the key leaders of the business working group which brought the Business Improvement District into fruition in 2014 and Chaired their board of directors until 2016; in a position that shaped their first business plan; particularly around support for the evening economy.
She ensures that the Pubwatch Committee manages its responsibilities professionally; that members are data trained and each meeting has a clear agenda and an update from city partners and guests.
Since the Novichok international incident in 2018, Amanda has worked tirelessly to ensure that the evening and night-time economy sector has been represented and supported in all city activities and gave up her own time to attend many hours of meetings to support the city and its businesses.
He states that she has been instrumental in ensuring that the city is a safe place to live, work and visit. For example, when the cities CCTV system was closed down in 2015 and proposals for a new system were delayed, Amanda was one of the key individuals to set up a Community Interest Company to ensure that it remained operational and that there were trained volunteers who could operate the system.
She is also cited as being the lead person responsible for the City maintaining its Purple Flag status.
He says that all this demonstrates her commitment to delivering the principles of Pubwatch.
Her nomination is supported by Brian Percy, the Street Pastor Coordinator and Police Inspector Brian Sparrow.
Brian Percy is a regular attendee at Pubwatch meetings and says that Amanda has an unsurpassed knowledge and experience and that she has never failed to encourage a younger licensee or DPS.
He acknowledges her commitment to the wider community and her representation on numerous committees. In particular he mentions her role in saving the CCTV system, taking a position as Director of CityWatch, to introduce new digital radio and CCTV solutions, as well as taking on extra responsibilities following the Novichok incident and her fight for compensation for affected Pubwatch businesses.
He states that her commitment to Salisbury, the licensed trade and local businesses is unmatched by anyone else in the local community. Finally, he says: “Amanda Newbery is the catalyst that brings the community together and she ensures that Pubwatch is right at the heart of that community.”
Peter Sparrow stated that when new to the role of Community Policing in 2016, Amanda became instantly recognisable as a person who cared about Salisbury and that her interest is far wider than her own agenda.
He said that working alongside her within the Recovery Group, following the deployment of a nerve agent in the city, really demonstrated her understanding of the mechanics of partnership working. Her interest in the night-time economy does not stop at the threshold of her premises and her work on taxi tariffs is evidence of this.
She sees the bigger picture and her role within Pubwatch is one of impartial influence. She offers sound judgement and advice but encourages others to take a proactive role.
Finally, he says: “The demand of the night-time economy on policing resources has dropped. As the director of the largest destination, I consider her grip on the standards of her door staff as being key to setting the tone within the City. In 25 years of policing, I have not met anyone like Amanda for setting the standard and truly embracing partnership work.”
