READING PubWatch has marked two decades of making Reading a safer place with its regular conference.
On Tuesday, September 10, stakeholders from the town’s night-time economy gathered at the conference, including venue managers and staff; National PubWatch’s Steve Baker, Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Barber; the mayor of Reading, Cllr Glen Dennis; Reading Borough Council’s Jason Murphy, and Alexa Volker of Reading Business Improvement District.
The mayor of Reading, Cllr Glen Dennis, said at the event: “I’m honoured to be here today as we mark the 20th anniversary of PubWatch.
“As someone who served on the licensing committee with over four years of experience, I have seen first-hand the importance of collaboration in maintaining a thriving and safe night-time economy.
“PubWatch is a shining example of what can be achieved when we work together, and for two decades this voluntary organisation has brought together a wide range of stakeholders, included premises managers, police and PCSO, and councillors.
“Each plays a critical role in ensuring that Reading remains a safe and welcoming place to live, work, and enjoy a night out.”
Reading PubWatch’s general secretary, Bill Donne, followed and said: “We have achieved amazing things in collaboration with our partners.
“We started off facing new licensing laws in 2003, where we helped licensees move to the new version of the laws, but we also started to share intelligence about known trouble-makers.
“Within six months we became PubWatch, having monthly meetings with branches in Caversham, Tilehurst, East and West Reading, as well as a student liaison, which were attended by both council and police representatives.
“In 2006 we adopted our own version of Best Bar None, which saw more than 52 venues given accreditation up to 2011.”
He also explained that Reading PubWatch received the National PubWatch of the Year award from the Responsible Drinks Retailing Awards.
“Sky Business was so enthused by what we’d achieved that they came down and made a documentary about the organisation.
“As far back as 15 years ago we were taking part in anti-spiking initiatives– of course here we are so many years on and that issue hasn’t quite gone away.”
He also noted that in 2019, PC Simon Wheeler was bestowed the National PubWatch Malcom Eidmans Award as one of the “driving forces” in maintaining Reading’s branch of the organisation.
National PubWatch’s Steve Baker OBE said: “I must give credit to Bill [Donne] for all the work he does to keep this on the road, and it takes people like him.
“He’s been the driving force in all this, an initiative which still provides the most important safety scheme for license holders.
“As an ex-police officer, I know that what you do has a powerful impact on the criminality in the area.”
Police and Crime Commissioner in Berkshire said: “We not only have our responsibility with policing, but we are also in contact with Reading’s Business Improvement District as the Street Pastors and First Stop initiatives are part of the wider ecosystem.
“Having so many of you in one room is so important, and it demonstrates the sense of community around Reading.”
The conference also presented Aaron Lewis with a STAR Award for his courage and quick actions during the stabbing incident which took place in Walkabout in central Reading earlier this year.
Mr Lewis, who works on the doors at the venue, helped the victim until emergency services arrived by stemming the bleeding.
Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association, followed, and said: “I’ve been in the industry for about 30 years, and the last five years has seen turmoil and uncertainty in one of the industry’s biggest ever challenges.”
Alexa Volker, of Reading’s Business Improvement District, said: “We work on lots of different things, including funding the Street Pastors and working on the First Stop service, made up of paramedics from South Central Ambulance Service.
“It saves so many visits to A&E, so we will be funding a street paramedic during freshers’ season.
“The pastors also work with door staff, managers, and with police, and we provide other things such as anti-spiking kits, online courses, defibrillation machines, and first aid training– free to businesses who are part of the BID.”
