Raising the bar

The airport has signed up for the voluntary scheme after working closely with Best Bar None Scotland and Police Scotland to champion best practice within an airport environment and ensure the highest standards of customer care.

Staff at the bars, restaurants and cafes will share good practice and receive additional training to provide safe venues and reduce alcohol related incidents, which are already at extremely low levels within the airport.

Chief Executive of Edinburgh Airport, Gordon Dewar said:

“We want passengers to enjoy their airport experience and start their trip off in a positive manner, which is why staff and police already engage with them to remind them of their own responsibilities.

“Alcohol related incidents at Edinburgh Airport are already extremely low thanks to highly visible officers who regularly engage with passengers, but this scheme sets that bar even higher, testing us against the highest standards.

“The Best Bar None Scotland scheme will see our establishments offer quality, enjoyable venues for people to enjoy, but send a clear message to the very small minority that any disruption caused excessive alcohol consumption is not acceptable.”

Mandy Haeburn-Little, Chair of Best Bar None Scotland, said:

“I am absolutely delighted that Edinburgh Airport has taken the decision to be the flagship Best Bar None airport - the first ever in the UK. I commend Gordon Dewar and his team for their leadership.

“We have all heard and indeed many of us have experienced holidays or travel where other passengers have just had a drink too much and this can make travelling less pleasant for others. Edinburgh Airport has consistently shown itself to be very considerate of the needs of passengers and this is excellent news which I very much hope that other airports will follow. It shows a commitment to standards which will provide a guarantee of customer care and safety in all the licensed venues in the airport.

“The reality is that legislation may change in the next few years which will make these changes enforceable and today Edinburgh Airport has shown itself to be leading this change which passengers and travellers expect, in ensuring a great environment for everyone. Best Bar None already operates widely across Scotland with 430 venues and the airport makes a very welcome addition to this.”

Police Scotland will be responsible for implementing the Best Bar None scheme at Edinburgh Airport and Airport Inspector Roddy Bainton said:

"A Best Bar None award recognises the high value that licensees place on customer care and safety and we are very pleased that all the licensed outlets at the airport are coming together to show this commitment.

“All travellers should feel safe coming through the airport and we work hard with airport management and staff, shops and food retailers, and our colleagues in border control and customs to create a welcoming environment - this is another positive contribution.

“Passengers can be confident that with this award in place, irresponsible drinking which leads to any criminality or anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated and will be robustly dealt with."

Notes to EditorsBest Bar None

Best Bar None operates throughout Scotland and over 430 venues have been accredited as part of the scheme this year.

Best Bar None is sponsored by Diageo, Molson Coors, Heineken, Tennents, Maxxium and Chivas Brothers and is supported by Police Scotland, the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service, the Scottish Licenced Trade Association and the Scottish Government.

The scheme is administered nationally by the Scottish Business Resilience Centre and delivered locally through representatives from local authorities, Police Scotland and Business Improvement Districts.

The Best Bar None website can be found at: http://www.bbnscotland.co.uk