Agenda item

The Service Director Legal Services will submit a report providing Members with an overview of the work Licensing Enforcement Officers have undertaken recently.

The Service Director Legal Services submitted a report providing Members with an overview of the work Licensing Enforcement Officers had undertaken recently.

It was noted that on the 2^nd October, 2019 local businesses had joined the Chair, Councillor Wraith MBE, and the Mayor, Councillor Markham, to celebrate the Best Bar None Awards.

These awards had been launched in Manchester in 2013 and were supported by the Home Office and the drinks industry aimed primarily at promoting responsible management and operation of alcohol licensed premises and to drive improvements in the evening and night-time economy.

The scheme was an important part of the Council’s strategy to create a fantastic evening and night-time economy in the Town Centre and everyone had a part to play in creating a clean and safe environment for people to visit.

The process of becoming an accredited venue was not easy as over 60 standards had to be met showing, amongst other things, well managed premises, a strong commitment to improving standards, showing enthusiasm towards delivering services to the highest standards and ensuring the safety of the public both inside and outside of the premises. The benefits were, however, significant.

This year’s winners were as follows:

·         Best Bar Award – The Garrison

·         Best Late Night Venue – Che Bar & Coco

·         Best Pub from a national Company – The White Bear

·         Best Newcomer – Pavilion

·         Most Improved Venue – Soul Lounge

·         Best Dining Experience – Favela

·         People’s Choice Award – The Garrison

·         Special Recognition Award – Craft Union Pub Company (which operated three venues in the Best Bar None scheme – The Mount, Corner Pin and Shakespeare)

·         Overall Winner – The White Bear

In the ensuing discussion the following matters were highlighted:

·         It was pleasing to note that the scheme had been a fantastic success with more premises becoming involved in ensuing years.  Arising out of this there was a discussion of the possibility of extending the scheme to cover premises outside the Town Centre area and particularly within the Principal Towns

·         It was noted that of the 54 licensed premises within theTown Centre, only 22 had participated in the scheme and Members briefly discussed ways of encouraging wider involvement in future years

·         Reference was made to the increasing importance and  benefits of gaining Purple Flag Status for the Town Centre as only Sheffield currently held this status within South Yorkshire

·         It was suggested that one of the criteria for future consideration as part of the Best Bar None scheme would be whether or not premises were dementia friendly.  The Senior Licensing Officer stated that she would feed these comments back to the organisers

·         It was noted that the winners of the Awards were given a plaque which they could display within their premises.  There was also a promotional video which could be circulated to all Members of the Board

Arising out of the above and in response to questioning, the Senior Licensing Officer briefly touched upon other activities in which the Service was involved and about which reports would be submitted to future meetings:

·         The routine inspection of over 800 premises – reference was made to the way in which this was undertaken, programmed and prioritised

·         Attendance at Pub Watch meetings in all areas to offer advice and support and to ensure that premises were fully compliant with legislation and regulations.  Work was currently being undertaken in relation to Halloween and Bonfire Night

·         Work with the Home Office and the Immigration Service

·         Inspection of Scrap Metal Dealers to ensure legislative compliance

RESOLVED:

(i)            That the Board place on record their thanks and appreciation to all involved in the Best Bar None Awards and in continually working to ensure a good understanding and compliance with Legislation; and

(ii)          That update reports on all enforcement activity and on the work of the Service continue to be submitted to the Regulatory Board on a regular basis.