Thirteen Aberdeenshire bars received Best Bar None awards in recognition of their work over the last year to run safe and responsible drinking establishments at a ceremony at The Holiday Inn, Westhill on Friday, January 20.

Gold and silver awards were presented to bars across the area in the annual national awards scheme for licensed premises that allows licensees to demonstrate how well their businesses are managed.

Chairman of Aberdeenshire's Community Safety Executive William Munro said:

"Aberdeenshire has been involved with Best Bar None for a number of years now.

"It is wonderful that so many licensed premises across the region are continuing to demonstrate their dedication in running establishments in such a professional manner.

"The Community Safety Executive is committed to ensuring Aberdeenshire is a safe place for all who come to visit, and Best Bar None is a very effective resource available to us."

Aberdeenshire has been involved in the scheme since 2007 through the Aberdeenshire Community Safety Partnership and the Scottish Business Crime Centre.

The Best Bar None scheme is sponsored by Diageo and has a number of aims, including:

• Reducing the risk of alcohol related harm, disorder and crime
• Establishing a benchmark for good practice in licensed trade premises
• Identifying and rewarding responsible operators and share their good practice with others
• Raising public awareness of the benefits of choosing to use well run licensed premises
• Creating a positive vehicle for all sectors of the night time economy to work together in partnership

The winners in 2012 are listed below.

• Cheers Café Bar & Tavern, Broad Street, Fraserburgh
• Crosskeys, Chapel Street, Peterhead
• The Colquhonnie House Hotel, Strathdon
• Holiday Inn, Aberdeen West
• Harbour Lights, Longate, Peterhead
• Palace Hotel, Prince Street,Peterhead

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• Commercial Hotel, South Street, Aberchirder
• Commercial Hotel, Auchry Road, Cuminestown
• Market Arms, High Shore, Banff
• Station Bar, Queen Street, Peterhead
• The Fishie Pub, The Square, Fetterangus
• The Grange Inn, West Road, Peterhead
• The Royal Hotel, Allardice Street, Stonehaven

Click here to see a map of the locations of Best Bar None premises in Aberdeenshire.

Anyone who would like to apply for the 2013 Best Bar None awards should contact Kate Rigby, Strategic Development Officer (Community Safety):
Phone: 01467 628439 or
Email: kate.rigby@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

For more information visit the Best Bar None web site