Kent Police Celebrates Best Bar None Awards
3 December 2025
Bars and pubs across Thanet have been recognised for their work in keeping the community safe while socialising.
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Plymouth’s hospitality sector came together under the lights of Home Park, home of Plymouth Argyle, for the 2025 Best Bar None Awards — a night dedicated to recognising the city’s outstanding venues, teams, and individuals who make Plymouth’s nightlife safe, welcoming, and vibrant.
Guests enjoyed a lively evening hosted with plenty of laughter from local favourite Red Ruth (comedian Suzy Bennett), who brought her trademark pub-landlady humour to the stage.
Best Bar None Plymouth Coordinator Cat Macdonald opened the night by reflecting on how far the scheme has come in driving “safer socialising” across the city. “These venues represent the best of Plymouth; not just great food, drink and entertainment but real care for customers, staff and the wider community.” She also highlighted how schemes like Best Bar None and Purple Flag work hand in hand to make the city’s evenings enjoyable and safe.
Superintendent Phil Williams of Devon & Cornwall Police praised the partnership behind Plymouth’s success, emphasising the collaboration between venues, police, local authorities, and partners that keeps the city’s night-time economy thriving.
The Best Bar None scheme is a national Home Office backed accreditation programme that rewards licensed venues that meet the highest standards in safety, staff training, and customer welfare.
To achieve accreditation, venues undergo a comprehensive annual assessment and take part in ongoing training on initiatives such as Ask for Angela, drug awareness, and vulnerability management. Around 50 Plymouth venues are currently accredited, proudly displaying their Best Bar None stickers as a mark of quality and responsibility.
Only accredited venues are eligible for the awards, with this year’s judging based on a mix of assessments and mystery shop results, plus bonus points for active engagement, staff development, and community partnership.
The evening also recognised the individuals behind the bar and at the door who deliver exceptional service, safety awareness, and care for customers. Awards were presented to door supervisors and hospitality staff who’ve shown exceptional professionalism and compassion in their work.
A special moment came with the presentation of the Mick McDonnell Award, honouring an individual who gives their time and energy to make a real difference to Plymouth’s night-time economy. This year’s recipient was Pete Chevin, recognised for his outstanding commitment, leadership, and voluntary contribution to making Plymouth’s evenings safer for everyone.
The Overall Winner of Best Bar None 2025 was Annabel’s, recognised for its outstanding commitment to customer safety, inclusive atmosphere, and active engagement in Best Bar None initiatives, and they will join Cat Macdonald at the National Awards at the House of Lords in March 2026 to represent Plymouth.
A raffle on the night raised funds for the Plymouth City Pastors and the University of Plymouth Nite Patrol team, both of whom were present and warmly thanked for their tireless work supporting the city centre’s evening and late-night safety.
The event was proudly sponsored by MRS Communications Ltd, Sandford Orchard, Jubel and Plymouth Gin, whose continued support helps champion the city’s hospitality sector.
It was also encouraging to see many new venues join the scheme this year, including several independently run businesses who have embraced the Best Bar None ethos and proudly earned their place among Plymouth’s accredited venues.
The night ended with a round of applause for all those working hard to make Plymouth’s nights out both
safe and memorable.
Anyone interested in joining the (free) Best Bar None scheme or finding out more can contact Cat at pl*********@***il.com for details on how to get involved.
The winners who set the standard for 2025:
Overall Winning Venue 2025
Best Dining Experience
Pub Dining Experience
Best Pub
Best Cocktail or Bar Venue
Best Entertainment/Leisure Venue
Best Student Venue
Best Late-Night Venue
Positive Participation Award
Best Door Person Award
Best Bar Team 2025
Best Bar Individual
Bars and pubs across Thanet have been recognised for their work in keeping the community safe while socialising.
