THREE more licensed premises have been awarded Best Bar None accreditation.
The Roseate, The Botanist, and The Oakford Social Club have all been given the accreditation, which promotes high operations standards in the bar and nightclub industry.
They will join The Milk Bar, which was the first venue in Reading to have been given the accreditation in 2022.
It follows a rigorous audit of venue policies on safety and procedure, availability of training documents, and working practises conducted by an external auditor.
The Roseate is the first hotel to receive accreditation in Berkshire.
Will Steel, who works at Oakford Social Club, said: “We’re delighted to be a part of the scheme, and we’re very happy to be noticed.
“We’ve been working especially hard over the last three years, and everyone on the team is very proud.”
Best Bar None is a scheme which awards accreditation to venues with high standards of venue management, staff care and training, customer safety, and customer and community service.
Venues opt into the scheme and volunteer to be audited, and those with high enough standards are presented with an award to mark them out as safe, welcoming businesses.
It also looks to reduce crime and disorder, and encourages cooperation between venues.
Standards are set out by by the national Best Bar None Board, but Reading’s scheme is organised by Reading Pubwatch.
Bill Donne, honorary secretary to Reading Pubwatch, said: “The Best Bar None scheme accreditation recognises well-run restaurants, pubs and clubs operating in Reading.
“We are pleased that three more venues were successful in passing a robust audit and achieving BBN status.
“This is testimony to the hard work and commitment to best practice by owners, management and their teams to achieve this prestigious BBN standard.”
He also said that the scheme is sponsored by the Business Improvement District (BID) for town centre venues, and by Reading Borough Council for those licensed premises located outside of the town centre.
Alexa Volker, Reading’s BID manager said “As sponsors of the town centre BBN scheme we are delighted that three more venues in Reading have achieved BBN accreditation status.”
Best Bar None was announced by Reading Pubwatch back in March, and those accredited will be honoured at a black tie awards ceremony at The Hilton in January 2023.
Venues looking to become part of the scheme can contact Reading Pubwatch via: readingpubwatch@outlook.com
