Best Bar None Glasgow Awards Raise almost £3000 for Vulnerable People

Glasgow licensees raised almost £3000 in one night for vulnerable people involved in street begging.

A raffle and auction at the prestigious Best Bar None Glasgow awards generated vital funds for Street Change Glasgow - the city's alternative giving scheme for people involved in street begging.

Around 20 Best Bar None venues already support Street Change Glasgow by displaying a QR code on their premises which enables customers to scan it and donate to the fund which is co-ordinated by Simon Community Scotland.

And the support from licensed venues continued when licensees met up for the first Best Bar None Glasgow awards ceremony since November 2019 at the Grand Central Hotel.

Street Change Glasgow is part of the city council's Begging Strategy. Frontline workers from Simon Community, Glasgow City Mission, The Marie Trust, Lodging House Mission and Waverley Care use utilise the fund to access essential items for people they support without delay - meaning they don't need to beg. The fund is used to help people with food and essential living items, journey home travel, clothing and footwear, household items, gas and electricity top ups and mobile phones / top ups.

Best Bar None Glasgow accolades were presented to city pubs, clubs, hotels and specialist entertainment venues in recognition of the work they do to enhance public safety and customer care in the city.

There were gold awards galore at the first presentation ceremony to take place since the Covid 19 pandemic hit.

• Best Newcomer award went to Hillhead Bookclub and the finalists were Bar 91 and King Tut's Wah Wah Hut. (The Newcomer Awards are for venues which have recently joined Best Bar None Glasgow rather than venues which are new to the city.)
• Winner of the Sustainability Award was the OVO Hydro and the finalists were SWG3 and the University of Strathclyde Students Union.
• The Auctioneers won the award for Most Improved Venue and the other finalists in that category were the Slug and Lettuce and The Social.
• The People's Choice Award went to 26 Hope Street.
• Best Designated Premises Manager  went to Margaret Simms of Neesons and the finalists were Peter Gunn of The Social and Phil Reavey of the University of Strathclyde Students' Union.
• Overall Gold award winners were presented to The Cathouse (Late Night venue); SWG3 and Glasgow University Union (Specialist Entertainment venues); Armstrongs (Community Pub); Bag O'Nails (Community Pub with Food); The Crystal Palace (Standard); Curlers Rest (Restaurant) and the National Piping Centre (Hotel). The overall winners will go on to compete in the BBN National awards.

Bailie Margaret Morgan, Convener Glasgow City Licensing Board, said: "It's fantastic to see the return of the Best Bar None Glasgow Awards post pandemic. It was an exceptionally difficult time for the licenced trade, so it is especially important to recognise the vast array of high quality venues in the city and the good practice they employ to make the night-time economy safer and more sustainable. Their hard work helps attract visitors to the city to socialise and plays a major role in Glasgow's global reputation as a safe and exciting entertainment destination with a fantastic social scene.

"Congratulations to all the venues who won awards on the night and also on the amount raised for Street Change Glasgow. The amazing support from Best Bar None Glasgow members will help vulnerable people involved in begging to improve their lives and ensure they do not have to beg."

Speakers at the awards included Eileen Marshall, Glasgow City Council's Division Director of Neighbourhoods, Regeneration and Sustainability, Gary Walker, Head of Community Safety and Regulatory Services and Scott Padden of The Croft bar and Restaurant in Croftfoot.

The awards were presented by PC Gary Kenhard and PC Allen Paul of the Scottish Business Resilience Centre. Stephen McGowan, Head of Licensing, TLT Solicitors, Donald MacLeod, Convenor of Glasgow City Licensing Forum and Bailie Margaret Morgan, Convenor Glasgow City Licensing Board. Compere for the night was presenter, Greg Summers.

Best Bar None Glasgow sponsors and partners include Glasgow City Council, Police Scotland, the Scottish Business Resilience Centre, Glasgow City Alcohol and Drugs Partnership, Safer Scotland, Grand Central Hotel, Diageo, Heineken, Tennents, Edrington - Beam Suntory; TLT Solicitors, Street Change Glasgow and SGL