North Notts Raises a Toast to Safer Socialising Venues at Best Bar None Awards

HOSPITALITY venues across Bassetlaw have been celebrated at the North Notts Best Bar None Awards 2026 – in recognition of their excellence over the past 12 months in creating safer socialising environments for customers and staff.

Hosted by North Notts BID at North Notts Community Arena in Worksop, the awards celebrated licensed hospitality venues that continue to demonstrate the highest standards of safety, management, staff training, customer service, welfare and community support, with venues receiving their annual Best Bar None accreditation as validation of their commitments.

More than 2,000 votes were received following a callout to the North Notts community to choose their People’s Choice winner, Zac Pyper of Romans Rest, with an incredibly tight margin of just 24 votes separating first, second and third place. A further nine awards were presented following a ‘blind’ judging process, with The Elms Hotel crowned Best Bar None Champion, having also scooped the prize for Best Hotel.

Sally Gillborn MBE, chief executive at North Notts BID, said:

“Venues across Bassetlaw have continued to raise the bar for creating safe, welcoming environments for both customers and staff. Whether achieving accreditation for the first time or maintaining their status, each venue has shown real commitment to driving exceptional standards of service across our venues.

“Congratulations to all this year’s winners and accredited venues and especially to The Elms Hotel as this year’s Best Bar None Champion.”

This year’s ceremony welcomed 26 accredited businesses, including six new additions to the scheme: Sundown Adventureland, The Bull and Lobster, Amor Cocktail Bar, Clumber Park Lodges, Manton Sports Club and The Brindley Bar and Restaurant.

Long-standing participants in the scheme also received special recognition for their consistency, with The Liquorice Gardens, The Mallard, Rondo Lounge and The Elms Hotel among those celebrating three consecutive years of accreditation.

Awards were presented by a host of distinguished guests, with representatives including Angela Kandola BEM, deputy police and crime commissioner for Nottinghamshire, who presented the Best Bar None Champion award, as well as Jo White, MP for Bassetlaw, Inspector Rob Harrison of Nottinghamshire Police and Iwona Kossek, director of people and project at hospitality and night time economy consultancy Six Till Six.

Sally added:

“The awards evening is a chance to recognise the hard work that often goes unseen, from staff training and welfare to the everyday efforts that ensure customers feel safe and looked after.

“With this year’s accreditation process seeing six fantastic new additions, it shows the collective strength of our venues across leisure, hotel, pubs and bars ranging from small independents to national chains – all striving to deliver the best hospitality experiences for our community.”

Award winners: