16 January 2008
Safety Thirst: more City pubs, restaurants and clubs join
scheme
A record number of licensed premises have qualified for this
year’s City of London Safety Thirst Awards.
Award winners will attend a ceremony at the Guildhall on 22
January where their success in meeting high standards of safety and
security will be recognised by the Chairman of the Licensing
Committee, Alderman Simon Walsh and Commissioner of the City of
London Police, Mike Bowron.
Applications are up this year with 145 bars, restaurants and
clubs having qualified to join the scheme which acknowledges
initiatives such as providing approved mini-cab numbers to stop
customers using unlicensed cabs; ensuring premises are well-lit,
well-staffed and patrolled; having well-trained door and bar staff,
and stopping cheap alcohol promotions that can encourage binge
drinking
A new Highly Commended category has accredited three premises
that have excelled in the provision of a safe environment which
assists in the reduction of crime, illegal drug use and anti-social
behaviour. These establishments are the Kings Arms on Camomile
Street, Paternoster on Newgate Street and The Cockpit on St Andrews
Hill.
In addition, 26 premises were commended for their work. This
year the application form was updated to reflect new anti-smoking
legislation, inclusion in pub watches, search policies for larger
premises, dispersal policies and good neighbourhood issues.
The Safety Thirst Awards are a joint initiative between the City
of London Corporation, City of London Police and the London Fire
Brigade – a partnership aimed to reduce crime and disorder in the
City. Whilst crime numbers are relatively low, the City does face
incidents of alcohol-related crime. To tackle this, the awards
encourage and support pubs, restaurants and clubs
to achieve the highest possible standards of safety and security
for customers and to minimise any impact on their neighbours.
The Safety Thirst Scheme is open to all pubs, restaurants and
clubs operating in the City of London. To register your premises’
interest in the scheme, please call 0207 456 9800.
Ends
Notes to editors
For further information contact: Cubby Fox at the City of London
Press Office on 020 7332 1906. Email
cubby.fox@cityoflondon.gov.uk