Canterbury has once again been recognised as Kent’s leading city for a secure, inclusive, well-managed, supportive night out, as a record 40 local venues were honoured at the Best Bar None awards, hosted by Canterbury BID on Wednesday 6 May.
Best Bar None is a national accreditation scheme that recognises excellence in the hospitality industry, promoting safer and more welcoming nights out providing businesses with an official accreditation that shows customers how hard they work to provide a safe and welcoming place to visit.
This year’s ceremony took place at Club Chemistry, with all 40 businesses receiving their awards, along with 16 Special Achievements awards for those venues and individuals that have gone above and beyond in keeping our community safe. The event was opened by the Lord Mayor of Canterbury, Cllr Keji Moses, District Commander for Canterbury, Chief Inspector Paul Stoner, sponsors Howden Insurance and BID CEO Lisa Carlson.
Behind each award is a team of dedicated staff stepping in to support vulnerable customers, prevent incidents, and ensure everyone enjoys their night safely. Awards for top scoring assessments were given to:
- Licenses, Insurance and Certificates: Matches Sports Bar & Social
- Safety and Security: Tokyo Tea Rooms
- Public Nuisance Mitigation: The Dolphin
- Staff Training and Care: The Shakespeare
- Customer Safety and Welfare: The Venue
- Accessibility: Marlowe Theatre
- Customer Experience and Community: Old City Bar
- Best Newcomer: Ye Olde Beverlie
- Overall Winner: Club Chemistry
The evening also celebrated individuals working behind the scenes to protect customers and staff. Special awards recognised bar staff, managers and teams who intervened to prevent harm, supported vulnerable customers, and strengthened community safety across the city:
- Special Recognition Bystander Award: Ricky Richards, Boom Battle Bar
- Community Ambassador Award: Freddie Hewett, Stag Coffee & Kitchen
- Best Dedicated Member of Staff: Louise Jones-Roberts, Distinctive Bars
- Best Commitment to Safety and Prevention: Grace Cunniffe, The West Gate Inn
- Best Diversity and Inclusion Awareness Award: Tokyo Tea Rooms
- Best Customer Experience: Stuart Boyles, The Dolphin
- Local Produce Hero: Pegasus Tap Room
Lisa Carlson, CEO of Canterbury BID said:
“These awards shine a spotlight on the incredible work happening every day across Canterbury’s hospitality sector. From safeguarding customers to building inclusive environments, these businesses are setting the standard for what a great night out should look like.”
District Commander for Canterbury, Chief Inspector Paul Stoner said:
Our collaborative engagement with licensed premises and partner agencies is a vital part of our work in keeping safe those who are out socialising in Canterbury. Best Bar None highlights the commitment Canterbury’s venues show in working together to keep the city a safe place in which to enjoy a night out. The standards demonstrated by this year’s award recipients reflect the care and responsibility shown across the city’s hospitality sector.
With participation continuing to grow year-on-year, Canterbury is setting a benchmark for other cities looking to create safer, more vibrant night-time economies.
Our thanks go to the Club Chemistry Team for hosting, Howden Insurance for sponsoring the event, Café No.35 for their excellent catering, IMP Live for their technical support and photographer Yanko Georgiev.
The 40 venues to receive Best Bar None accreditation were:
ABode Canterbury, The Ballroom, The Black Griffin, Boom Battle Bar, Canterbury Cathedral Lodge, The Cherry Tree, Citi Terrace, The City Arms, Club Chemistry, The Cosy Club, The Cricketers, The Curzon, The Dolphin, The Drapers Arms, The Foundry BrewPub, Hampton By Hilton, The Ivy Brasserie, The Lady Luck, The Loft, The Lounge Bar, Marlowe Theatre, McDonalds, Matches Sports Bar & Social, The Millers Arms, The Monk, Old City Bar, The Parrot, Pegasus Tap Room, The Penny Theatre, The Pound, The Seven Stars, The Shakespeare, Stag Coffee & Kitchen, The Thomas Ingoldsby, Tokyo Tea Rooms, The Unicorn Inn, The Venue, The West Gate Inn, Woody’s Bar, Ye Olde Beverlie.
