Venues Aim to Make 2017 Their Lucky 13

Thirteen will be lucky for some, as Glasgow's licensed premises compete to become the toast of the city.

Entries are invited for this year's Best Bar None Glasgow awards - the 13th since they were launched in 2004.

Pubs, clubs, hotels and other licensed premises are being urged to enter the awards which received a record response in 2016.

Eighty-eight premises took part in last year's Glasgow awards. A total of 67 venues received Gold awards at a glitzy gala dinner, 20 earned silver and one was awarded Bronze. Eleven premises were also shortlisted as finalists in the national awards which took place at the end of March. Campus went on to clinch the top award and be crowned National Champion of the Year.

Best Bar None Glasgow now hope to raise the bar even further and encourage at least 100 licensed premises to take part in the next regional event.

Registration for the awards opened today (April 19th) at a networking event and business launch in the Grand Central Hotel where key speakers included Phil Walker, MD of Community Safety Glasgow, Chief Superintendent Stuart Carle from Police Scotland Licensing; Sergeant Arlene Campbell of the Scottish Business Resilience Centre (Best Bar None Scotland) and Jo Graham, Chair of the British Institute of Innkeepers.

Staff and licensees heard about the benefits of joining Best Bar None Glasgow and also took part in industry workshops on subjects including the BBN assessment process and making the most of social media. Staff from The Deoch an Dorus also gave a talk about their own BBN experiences.

New entrants including hotel bars are especially welcome to take part in this year's awards which encourage and enhance best licensing and safety practices.

Eleanor Lee of Community Safety Glasgow which organises BBN Glasgow said: "Participants new and old are invited to take part in this year's scheme. We had some fantastic success stories in 2016 and want to surpass that this year.

"Best Bar None is all about adopting positive management practices in support of a safe night out. Best Bar None Glasgow advise all types of licensed premises on how to implement best practices in their venues. This could be from ensuring they have the most up-to-date training  for bar staff and door stewards to explaining new statutory requirements.

"We want to encourage people to adopt these practices and we recognise the journey that businesses go on with our awards. Businesses don't have to aim for Gold straight away, for some, getting bronze shows commitment, especially if they are new to Best Bar None."

Best Bar None Glasgow is supported by partners including Glasgow City Council, Police Scotland, Scottish Fire And Rescue Service, Glasgow City Alcohol and Drugs Partnership and CSG. Sponsors include Molson Coors, Tennents, Diageo, Chivas Brothers, Heineken and Maxxium.

Premises interested in entering this year's awards should go to www.bbnglasgow.com