Olympic Torch makes surprise appearance at meeting

Bosses of pubs and clubs in the Norwich area were invited to find out more about the Best Bar None scheme at the bi-monthly meeting of the City Centre Licensing Forum.

Best Bar None is a national award scheme supported by the Home Office aimed at promoting responsible management and operation of clubs, pubs and bars. The scheme was launched in Norwich earlier in the year and aims at making the city a safer and more secure place to enjoy a night out.

It aims to show a reduction in alcohol related crime and disorder and anti-social behaviour within the city centre's night-time economy and raise awareness and safety standards within premises, and will recognise licensees who demonstrate excellent standards.

Topics at Thursday's meeting, which was held at the Doghouse in St George's Street, included the progress of the first phase of assessments, the September deadline to qualify for the 2012 awards and the range of discounted and even free training and development opportunities for people working in the licensed hospitality sector.

Murray Thexton, of Inn Training, the training and development consultants for Best Bar None in Norwich, outlined how the courses ranged from the most basic to senior management modules.

The meeting was nearly over when Andrew Coe and Jenny Plunkett, of Barrett & Coe, who are associate members of Best Bar None Norwich, joined the group - with the Olympic Torch - to share Mr Coe's experiences when he completed his leg of the Olympic Torch journey on Thursday morning.

For more information about Best Bar None Norwich either call 01603 224 880 or email info@bestbarnonenorwich.co.uk