Thorntons Solicitors celebrated the launch of its Leisure, Hospitality and Licensing team by supporting an awards ceremony honouring the safest and best managed licensed premises in Angus.
The leading Tayside firm sponsored the Best Bar None event last week at Carnoustie Golf Hotel, to recognise pubs, clubs and bars on their efforts to prevent crime and disorder, promote public safety and protect children from harm.
Organised through the Focus on Alcohol Angus project, Tayside Police, Angus Council Trading Standards and Tayside Fire and Rescue,29 premises were assessed which was a considerable increase from 2007.
The event saw The Vault, Monifieth scoop the pub category and overall winner award with Ash Bar, Montrose and Buddies, Kirriemuir receiving the awards for the bar and club categories. New to this year's scheme was an additional award based on healthier menu choice won by the Station Hotel, Carnoustie.
Anne McKeown, partner at Thorntons heading up the new team, represents a number of licensed premises in the area.
She said: "The Best Bar None awards are a great way for the license trade to develop a strong relationship with the Licensing Board, police and council which can help them as new laws are introduced as well as encourage good practice across all licensed premises in Angus.
"Initiatives such as these awards also can contribute to reducing crime and assure residents that standards are in place in terms of safety and management."
Other members of the team include partners Gillian Buchanan and Janet McIntyre and paralegal Lori Beattie who have, for many years, represented members of the leisure and hospitality industry helping them come to terms with the complex raft of legislation they must adhere to.
Robert Peat, chair of Angus Drug and Alcohol Action Team, said: "The Best Bar None awards help to recognise and reward well-run licensed premises in the local and wider community and also helps to build relationships between the licensed trade and the partners involved in the Focus on Alcohol group.
"Through Focus on Alcohol, we recognise that promoting responsible drinking and reducing alcohol related harm can only be achieved by working in partnership."
Chief Superintendent Alan Campbell, Divisional Commander for Policing in Angus, said: ''Best Bar None is about raising standards, adopting good practice among the licensed trade and working with the police to tackle crime and disorder within the community.
"I offer my congratulations to the winners and to all the licensees who participated in the Best Bar None Scheme Angus 2008. It is important to recognise their involvement in the scheme and the part that the licensed trade can play in making Angus a safer place for a night out.
"Their participation in this scheme demonstrates their commitment to the local community in making Angus a safer place to live and visit."
Issued by Beattie Communications on behalf of Thorntons Solicitors.
Contact: Kimberley Hamilton, Tel 01698 787878