Simply the best

GUEST LIST: From the left: Sandra O’Hare, Joe Curran (Best Bar None coordinator), the Mayor and Mayoress of Oldham, Cllr Richard Knowles and Valerie Knowles, Martin Diaper (Blu62), Chief Supt Tim Forber, Katherine Stott (Hare and Hounds), Robert Glass (Bamboogy) and Keith Israel (The Snipe).

OLDHAM’S pub and clubland came together at Oldham Coliseum last night for an evening of celebration as the town centre hosted its first Best Bar None Awards.

The national awards — Oldham became the 100th town or city to adopt them — help raise standards in bar safety, health and security.

And over 200 guests — including the Mayor of Oldham Councillor Richard Knowles — heard Oldham’s top policeman Chief Supt Tim Forber praise the licensed trade for its efforts in changing Oldham’s image.

“When I came here 18 months ago, Oldham had just been the focus of national TV for its nightlife.

“But what I found was that it was no different to many other towns and cities in the country and that there were a lot of good people running the establishments in the town who wanted to help instigate change.”

Chief Supt Forber said it was tremendous that 20 town-centre venues had reached the Best Bar None accreditation level and he and Divisional Fire Officer Kevin Talbot handed out the large discs that can now be displayed to show the public that the standards have been attained.

Big winner on the night was Pat Kelly’s Cornerhouse — formerly the Mess House — which has turned around its troubled past to win the club category and the overall award.

The Chronicle Readers’’ award went to The Old Bill.

And a raffle and draw on the night helped raise £850 for the Care for Kids charity.




RESULTS



Pub: 1. The Up Steps, 2. The Old Bank.

Bar: 1. The Squire Knott, 2. Wahoo.

Club: 1. Cornerhouse, 2. Tokyo Project.

Readers’ award: 1. The Old Bill, 2. The Snipe Inn.

Overall award: 1. Cornerhouse.