Story and image supplied by Reading Pubwatch
Members of Reading Pubwatch attended the monthly meeting held at Playlist Live to hear from key note speakers from the Licensing, Public Health departments and the Business Improvement District.
Representatives from the Council’s Public Health team held a novel quiz to highlights the danger to health of smoking cigarettes and the startling fact that in 2007 after the no smoking legislation was introduced hospital admissions for heart attacks fell by 1200 in a year. In fact, bar workers previously had the highest exposure to 2nd hand smoke of any occupational group. Their exposure reduced on average between 73 and 91% after the ban.
Alexa Volker, the Reading BID manager discussed the process for this year’s application for the Purple Flag accreditation scheme for the Evening and Night Time Economy, and about the plans to deliver ‘WAVE’ vulnerability training with Highfield Qualifications.
The BID kindly sponsored a kit to use at their premises that included supplies of Drink Spikeys, Drink Safe glass covers, Spike Drink test kits and Tourni-Key tourniquet packs.
Alexa Volker said:
“The BID is pleased to support Reading’s thriving night time economy venues with many projects and initiatives around safety and vulnerability. From Ask 4 Angela posters to Emergency First Aid at Work courses we aim to bring businesses practical solutions. The Pubwatch meetings allow us to see all the venues in one place and share messages more effectively as well as distribute safety kit and promote courses.
Robert Smalley, Licensing Officer for the Council briefed members about the changes in the pavement café licensing legislation.
Robert Smalley said:
“We in the Licensing team at Reading Borough Council appreciated the opportunity to attend this Pubwatch meeting. It was a good opportunity to update members on the recent change in pavement café licensing following Schedule 22 of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 coming into force and to answer members’ questions”
Bill Donne, Honorary Secretary, said:
“We are grateful to all the key note speakers for presenting at our recent Pubwatch meeting and for addressing some challenging questions., and particularly to the BID for their ongoing sponsorship of our many initiatives for the ENTE including Best Bar None.”
“I was also pleased that Stuart McNaught, a previous National Pubwatch Star Award recipient was re-elected as Chair person and to welcome new committee members including Meena Arch, Kelley Hill, James Rickward, Corrine Kolatsi and Andy Gowers”.
