Leighton-Linslade and Woburn pubs win Best Bar None award
Leighton Buzzard and Woburn businesses have won a Best Bar None award 2024 for their high standards.
A presentation was held to celebrate 19 venues across Central Bedfordshire which have "responsible alcohol licensing and management".
The Stag, The Picture House, The Conservative Club and The Swan Hotel in Leighton Buzzard, as well as The Globe Inn, Linslade, and The Bell, Woburn, were all honoured by the national scheme.
Central Bedfordshire Councillor Steve Owen, executive member for community safety, said: "Best Bar None has been instrumental in creating safer and more welcoming town centres across Central Bedfordshire.
"Through collaboration with local venues and our partners in the police and fire services, we are setting high standards and ensuring the public can enjoy a night out with confidence."
Best Bar None was first launched in 2017 in Leighton Buzzard, Dunstable, and Houghton Regis.
Due to its success, the scheme was expanded across the whole of Central Bedfordshire in 2022.
Councillor Owen added: "We are proud of the commitment shown by our local businesses and are delighted to see them receive the recognition they deserve."
Participating venues undergo "a rigorous assessment process" to receive accreditation, giving customers "confidence" that they are visiting well-managed establishments.
A Central Bedfordshire Council spokesman, said: "We also support the scheme through initiatives such as the radio link system, which enables venues to communicate with each other and the council’s CCTV control room about incidents or suspicious activity.
"Training sessions and information campaigns, such as spiking awareness, further strengthen safety measures."
Here are the full list of winners for 2024:
The Nags Head, Dunstable
The Grove Theatre, Dunstable
The White Swan, Dunstable
The Poynters Arms, Dunstable
The Gary Coopers, Dunstable
The Ewe & Lamb, Dunstable
The Highwayman, Dunstable
The Star, Charlton
The Globe Inn, Linslade
The Stag, Leighton Buzzard
The Picture House, Leighton Buzzard
The Conservative Club, Leighton Buzzard
The Swan Hotel, Leighton Buzzard
The Bell, Woburn
The Bumble Bee, Flitwick
The Blackbirds, Flitwick
The Chequers, Houghton Regis
The Yorkshire Grey, Biggleswade
The Bridge, Shefford
In recognition of its efforts, Central Bedfordshire Council was also awarded the ‘Best County’ Scheme at the national Best Bar None ceremony held at the House of Lords in February 2024.
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