BEST Bar None (BBN), a pub accreditation scheme will be launched today to ensure a safer drinking environment in licensed premises throughout the borough.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, Dorset Police and Pubwatch are working together to encourage as many bars, pubs and nightclubs to take part in the nationally recognised scheme, which promotes responsible management and operation of alcohol-licensed premises.

The aim of BBN is to reduce alcohol-related crime and disorder in towns by building a positive relationship between the licensed trade, police and local authorities.

It also highlights how operating more responsibly can increase the profitability of an individual business and make a certain area more appealing to customers.

The scheme, launched on Thursday March 19 saw the Borough Council, Dorset Police and Pubwatch visit all the interested premises and give them their application forms.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council’s Business Licensing Manager, Sue Moore, said: "The scheme is about reducing alcohol-related crime, sharing best practice and improving industry standards, as well as recognising those establishments that are working hard to raise these standards.

"This is a positive initiative for Weymouth and Portland aimed at ensuring that everyone can enjoy a safe night out when visiting our vibrant local pub and club scene.

"We’ve had a very good response to the scheme with over twenty pubs and clubs expressing an interest in applying for the accreditation. The scheme is fully supported by Pubwatch and many of their members will be entering. It is also fully supported by Weymouth BID and they have sponsored its introduction.

"Although we’ve concentrated the launch on the town centre premises we are more than happy to receive applications from any pub or club in the Weymouth and Portland area."

Premises that achieve the accreditation will be able to use the Best Bar None logo and display a plaque, much in the same way as the food hygiene rating scheme already adopted widely throughout the hotel and hospitality industry.

BBN is currently running in over 100 locations across the UK and is now being taken up in parts of Europe, USA, New Zealand and Australia.

Anyone interested in applying can do so before May 22 and can contact Business Licensing if they want to know more about the scheme.