This year’s National Best Bar None Awards, held at the House of Lords on Tuesday, March 24th, saw a nail-biting finish for the "Best Town Scheme" category. Guildford narrowly missed out on the top spot, finishing as a highly commended runner-up to Chesterfield after being shortlisted for an incredible fifth year in a row.
Despite the narrow margin, the atmosphere was one of celebration. Co-ordinator Pete Lambert expressed immense pride in the town’s consistent excellence, noting that maintaining such high standards for half a decade is a testament to the strength of Guildford’s partnership working.
A Night of Excellence at the House of Lords
The highlight for the Guildford delegation was taking their local scheme winners, G Live, to the prestigious ceremony. Representing the very best of Guildford’s nightlife, the G Live team joined industry leaders to celebrate the gold standard of safer socialising.
The 2026 winners included:
- Best City Scheme: Nottingham
- Best Town Scheme: Chesterfield
- Best New Scheme: York
- Special Recognition: Louise Baxter (Harrow BID)
The Winners' Circle
Chesterfield, which took the "Best Town" title this year, has made significant strides since its 2024 launch. With 26 accredited venues and a digital radio network linking businesses, the town has seen an 8% reduction in anti-social behavior and a 9.3% reduction in public order incidents over the last 12 months.
Nottingham remains a powerhouse in the "Best City" category, managing 89 accredited venues and leading the way in inclusivity with a student-led accessibility assessment. Meanwhile, York was celebrated as the "Best New Scheme," rapidly establishing 22 accredited venues with strong support from North Yorkshire Police and local authorities.
Recognition for Innovation
The awards, hosted by Lord Smith of Hindhead, Chairman of Best Bar None, highlighted the growth of the scheme, which now boasts over 4,000 accredited premises across England and Wales.
"I am delighted to say that the scheme has continued to go from strength to strength," said Lord Smith. "The national awards celebrate the commitment of schemes and individuals to safer socialising. This year’s winners are all thoroughly deserving, and I offer my congratulations to everyone involved."
Other notable wins included:
- Airside Alcohol Retailing: Monty’s Diner (Liverpool John Lennon Airport).
- Student Union Category: University of Lancashire and Kent University.
- Central Scheme Winners: The Shakespeare (Greene King), Shamblehurst Barn (Destination Brands), and the King’s Head (Craft Union).
About Best Bar None
Supported by the Home Office, Best Bar None is the industry-recognized mark of operational excellence. It fosters proactive relationships between licensees, police, and local authorities to create safe, well-managed environments. The scheme is funded by industry leaders including Diageo, Asahi UK, JD Wetherspoon, Greene King, Stonegate Group, and Mitchells and Butlers.
