Renfrewshire’s bars and pubs have toasted success at this year’s Best Bar None Awards.

Best Bar None Award winners with members of Renfrewshire Council and Police Scotland

The awards ceremony, held in Renfrew Town Hall on Thursday 12 January, saw accreditation given to local venues across five different categories of Independent Pub, Independent Bar, Pub, Bar and Nightclub.

Ten out of the 12 venues which applied secured a gold award with two receiving a silver award.

The Best Bar None joint initiative between Police Scotland and Renfrewshire Council was introduced in 2012 to reward venues that provide a safe and welcoming environment for local residents to enjoy responsible drinking.

The awards are based on core national standards with flexibility to address local needs. It also encourages pubs, clubs and bars to work with the Council and Police Scotland to prevent crime and disorder.

Councillor Eddie Devine, convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Environment Policy Board, said: “It’s great to see Renfrewshire’s bars, pubs and clubs working with the council and the police to deliver excellent entertainment venues, while also improving the safety and wellbeing of customers.

“Best Bar None recognises the hard work of the local venues and Renfrewshire is very proud to have so many outstanding licensed premises for locals and visitors to enjoy a drink.

Sergeant Jeff Curran of Police Scotland said: “I am delighted to see so many licensed premises in Renfrewshire achieve accredited status.

“Pubs and bars that offer a secure environment where customers can drink responsibly are becoming the norm and local people can enjoy a drink knowing they are in safe hands.”

This year’s Best Bar None ceremony also saw outstanding premises recognised in new local award categories for Best Family Venue, Most Improved, People’s Choice and Best Venue Manager.

Venues were assessed during October and November 2016 and were scored using national guidelines. Best Bar None Awards are based on core standards relating to five licensing objectives, which are:

• preventing crime and disorder,

• securing public safety,

• preventing public nuisance,

• protecting and improving public health, and

• protecting children from harm.

Overall category winners now have the chance to compete at the end of the year for the national Best Bar None Awards in Glasgow, which will take place in March 2017.

Councillor Devine added: “To have 12 premises across Renfrewshire achieve accredited status in the Best Bar None awards is a fantastic achievement and highlights the good practice in our venues. This is vital as we go forward with Paisley’s bid to become UK City of Culture in 2021.

“I’d encourage more bars, pubs and clubs to take part in this scheme and showcase Renfrewshire as a thriving location for entertainment and leisure.”

To read more about the Best Bar None Awards visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/bestbarnone

Below is a list of the venues which entered the Best Bar None scheme in 2016/17 and the awards they received.

Category – Independent Bar

Kilty Kilty Gold and Innovation in Public Health Award winner

Cafuffals Gold

The Bankhouse Gold

Bar Varia Gold and overall category winner

Bar Varia was the overall category winner. Kilty Kilty has also been given an additional award for Innovation in Public Health.

Category – Bar

Canal Station Bar & Restaurant Silver and overall category winner.

Category – Independent Pub

Old Swan Inn Gold and People’s Choice Award winner

The Ferry Inn Silver and Best Family Venue Award winner

Tartan Rose Gold and Heart of the Community Award winner

Craigielea Bar Gold and overall category winner

Craigielea Bar was the overall category winner. The Old Swann Inn, The Ferry Inn and Tartan rose also received an additional award for People’s Choice, Best Family Venue and Heart of the Community respectively.

Category – Night Club

Fantoosh Gold

Fantoosh was the overall category winner and also received an additional award for Most Improved.

Category – Pub

Lord of the Isles Gold

The Flying Scotsman Gold and overall category winner

Manager Award

Claire Colquhoun Tartan Rose Best Venue Manager (joint)

Jason Smith Bankhouse Best Venue Manager (joint)