INDUSTRY NEWS: Noctis Community Engagement Guide receives a number of plaudits

Simon O Brien, from the Association of Chief Police Officer lead on licensing who said:

"The good practice guide cuts to the heart of where a joined up approach need to be, it starts with communication and ends with communication. It is clear that it is in everyone's interest that we all work together to create safe environments for many customers to enjoy a night time economy.
NOCTIS has been communicating with and working closely with The Association of Chief Police Officers(ACPO) for some time to ensure we work together in delivering end to end solutions and the good practice guide is but one example of this good working relationship".

John Grogan MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group said:

“The Good Practice Guide illustrates what can be achieved when late night venues work closely with local councils and the police. The result is that not only does everyone have a greater appreciation of different perspectives but most importantly that night-time revellers can be more certain not only of a good night out but a safe night.”

Brigid Simmonds, Chief Executive, Business in Sport and Leisure said:

I think the Good Practice guide is excellent and a very good start for local authorities.  It makes the points well about the need to have a healthy night time economy and bridging the gap from day to night.

Blair Sutherland, Operations Director of The Arches in Glasgow said:

“If all operators and licensees take note of the guide I’m sure they will benefit ... the guide outlines sensible and common sense guidelines that, if followed, are invaluable. I think it would be an idea to ensure all Diageo reps pass on their guide to their customers.”

Jacqui Kennedy, Director of Regulatory Services, Birmingham City Council:

“The Good Practice Guide is a common sense approach to delivering excellent outcomes for cities and towns in relation to maximising the positive benefits of the night time economy.  It gives simple guidance to partners reiterating the need for strong partnership working, evidencing the tools in our respective tool boxes already available to the agencies and the trade.
The guide recommends operators work in partnership with the local agencies, the council and the Police but also just as importantly encourages operators to build their community relationships.  In Birmingham we want our operators to be good neighbours and in the main this happens!  The Guide promotes relationships to deliver outcomes locally, this is to be commended. Shared priorities and good communication can avoid costly licence reviews and build your local market share.
The good practice guide signposts to best practice elsewhere nationally that can be implemented locally and it is free!”

Jon Shipp, Night-time Economy co-ordinator from Bournemouth said:

“There has never been a more important time to gather every tool in the toolbox, clean it off and put it to good use. The Diageo Noctis ‘Shine’ Good Practice Guide is one of the tools on the top shelf and the major issue is getting good workmen to use it more often, not only in the licensed trade but for all partners, and most importantly the Local Authority and the Police. We are fortunate in Bournemouth to have a solid working relationship between the partners but as always this can live on a knife edge, just a few wrong words in the wrong place, usually from people who talk without knowledge or understanding, and months of bridge building collapse.
One of the most important sections deals with developing and maintaining channels of regular communication, particularly where this ‘leads to information sharing and the building up of knowledge for all participants.’ This is a critical process, requiring abundant levels of trust in the working community, and it’s important that through schemes like Diageo Noctis Shine these processes are nurtured and sustained.”