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Staff from the Orange Rooms collect their award

MORE than a few glasses were raised to toast the cream of the licensing industry in Southampton when the trade gathered for the annual Best Bar None awards.

More than 350 guests from pubs, clubs and bars in the city took the night off to celebrate with colleagues at the gala dinner staged at the plush Grand Harbour De Vere hotel.

This year saw more than 100 venues enter the contest backed by the Daily Echo and sponsored by Bacardi Brown-Forman Brands, organised Hampshire police's licensing unit in Southampton and supported by Southampton City Council.

Of those, 81 premises achieved accredited status, which means they reached high police-set standards across the board.

Licensing Sgt Stewart Chandler said: "All too often the only time the police have contact with licensed premisies is when they have done something wrong. But tonight an an opportunity for the authorities to congraulate the industry on the good work they do."

Following entertainment from local comedian Mike Osmond the business of the evening began compered by Wave 105 FM's Steve Power with the handing out of bronze, silver and gold awards to the winners in each of the four categories of Best Bar, Best Pub, Best Club and Best Community Pub.

Well known city centre venues including the Orange Rooms and For Your Eyes Only scooped the prizes for Best Bar and Best Club respectively.

Best Community Pub winner was The Junction, landlord Martin Gentry who runs the venue with Dawn Fildes, said: "It is great to have a category that recognises the role of the pub in the community.

We really try and be a part of it.

We're delighted."

The Obelisk hotel won silver, a real achievement given licensees Rachel Booth and Garry (CORR) Gawn had only been in the trade a year.

It then came to the climax of the evening with the crowning of the Best Bar 2008. It was a category that had been monopolised by the Mono Bar which had won the title since the competition began three years ago, and got a special mention for the standards it had set in the competition.

The crown this year was passed to The Stoneham Arms, an announcement that was greeted with one of the biggest cheers of the night. Having already won in the category of Best Pub the Stoneham contingent was elated at winning the top prize.

Assistant manager Neil Caplen said: "I am absolutely gobsmacked, I am still shaking, we never thought this would happen. We have great customers and great staff and it is really good that a pub like ours has been recognised."

The Role of Honour

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