Sheffield's Best Bar None scheme has been named the best in the country

Best Bar None is a Home Office-backed scheme which sees the alcohol industry working with local authorities and the police to promote responsible drinking and higher professional licensing standards in bars, pubs, clubs and restaurants.

The award for best overall scheme is presented to the regional project which has had the biggest overall impact in its community in the last 12 months.

Last year, Sheffield was highly commended, after narrowly missing out to Plymouth, but this year the city has come out on top.

Tracey Ford, Sheffield scheme coordinator, said: “We are absolutely over the moon to have been recognised for having the best overall scheme and so proud to receive it on behalf of all the licensed premises in Sheffield, as well as all of our stakeholders who have helped us sustain the scheme over the past 11 years.

“We have a track record of asking, listening and then delivering initiatives that address issues in the wider community.

“We also make a point of sharing our ideas, experiences and new initiatives with other schemes across the country. We have worked hard to integrate Best Bar None into Sheffield’s night-time economy and also to generate public awareness about the scheme.

“I am delighted to accept this award on behalf of Sheffield Best Bar None.

“We are all so pleased that our efforts have been recognised nationally.”

Sheffield is one of the UK’s longest running and most successful Best Bar None schemes and over the last year, the city has continued to be at the forefront of innovation and good practice.

The scheme was integral in the development of a Best Bar None app, which shows which venues in the city have passed the stringent assessment to become Best Bar None-accredited.

Lord Philip Smith, Best Bar None chairman, said: “All of the finalists have done incredibly well to make the shortlist, but Sheffield Best Bar None stood out in the eyes of the judges as being thoroughly deserving of this award.”