Rock City, one of the UK’s most iconic live music venues, has been praised for its commitment to customer welfare as it plays a key role in the drive to make Nottingham safe at night.
Rock City in Nottingham is the flagship of DHP Family with a storied history stretching back more than four decades, and stages 100 gigs a year alongside a vibrant programme of events and club nights. The exceptional work of the venue’s welfare team has earned recognition from Best Bar None, the industry gold standard for safety in the night time economy.
DHP Family introduced dedicated welfare staff to help customers feel safe, supported and looked after during event nights all year round. Now their commitment to creating a safe and welcoming environment has been recognised by a brand new award from the leading industry initiative, Best Bar None.
The welfare team at Rock City were honoured with a special Judges’ Recognition Award for their outstanding efforts, highlighted through the Purple Flag assessment process. The city has retained Purple Flag status for 15 consecutive years, a nationally recognised accreditation awarded to places where businesses, local authorities, police and other partners work together to promote safety, wellbeing and a vibrant evening economy.
Nottingham City Councillor David Mellen, Executive Member for Leisure, Culture and Tourism, said:
“This award is a fantastic recognition of the outstanding work being carried out by Rock City’s welfare team and highlights Nottingham’s ongoing commitment to providing a safe, welcoming and inclusive night-time economy.
“Nottingham is proud to be a city that attracts students, residents, and visitors from across the UK and beyond. Ensuring people feel safe when enjoying a night out is essential to maintaining our reputation as a vibrant and welcoming destination.
“Achievements such as this demonstrate the vital role that local businesses play in helping Nottingham retain its Purple Flag status. The commitment shown by venues like Rock City to investing in customer welfare and safety goes above and beyond what is expected and sets a positive example for the wider sector.
“Rock City’s dedicated welfare provision is a particularly innovative initiative, providing practical support and reassurance to customers and helping create an environment where everyone can enjoy themselves safely.
“This success is also a reflection of the strong partnership working that exists across Nottingham. The City Council, Nottinghamshire Police, venues, Pubwatch, our universities, Nottingham BID and many other partners continue to work together to promote safety, wellbeing, and responsible enjoyment of the city at night. Together, we are helping ensure Nottingham remains one of the safest and most welcoming destinations for residents, students and visitors alike.”
Rock City’s award winning welfare provision grew out of the original Drink Aware Club Crew initiative, created to provide support for those in need including vulnerable customers alongside the venue medic. Following Covid, the role evolved into a Welfare Team of eight staff led by a welfare supervisor. It forms part of DHP Family’s wider commitment across Nottingham’s night-time economy to create a safe and welcoming environment for residents, visitors and students.
Michele Somers, Director of Risk and Culture, DHP Family, said:
“We’re incredibly proud that Rock City’s Welfare Team has received this recognition. Keeping people safe has always been at the heart of what we do, and our dedicated welfare provision is something that sets Rock City apart. This award is a testament to the hard work, compassion and professionalism they show every single night.”
On club nights the team works throughout the venue, maintaining a permanent welfare desk while also carrying out regular welfare patrols. They look out for vulnerable or intoxicated customers, helping people reconnect with friends, charge phones and arrange safe journeys home, providing water, sick bags and ongoing monitoring for customers who are unwell and supporting the venue medic during first aid incidents.
Welfare supervisor Rikki Griffin said:
“I am proud of the whole team and it feels great to be recognised for all the hard work we’ve put in and how much the role has grown in recent years. Having a welfare team has made a difference to Rock City because people know that they can come to us if something goes wrong and they do not have to deal with it alone.”
Max Coulson, welfare team, said:
“Having a welfare team means Rock City can offer more than just a good night out. It means people can feel safe, supported and looked after whilst they’re here. It helps make Rock City a place where people feel comfortable coming back, knowing that their safety and wellbeing are taken seriously.”
Orla Mcilfartrick, welfare team, added:
“We’re not only here for our customers but to help safeguard our colleagues and make their place of work feel safer.”
Best Bar None 2026 awards also recognised the excellent work across other DHP Family venues in Nottingham, with awards for Rescue Rooms (Best Live Music Venue and Best Accessible Venue), Stealth (Best Club and Outstanding Contribution) and The Bodega (Best National Pub or Bar).
Best Bar None is a national initiative supported by the Home Office and drinks industry that aims to improve standards in the evening and night-time economy. Nottingham is home to one of the largest city-based Best Bar None schemes in the UK with 89 city centre venues participating in 2025.
Premises are audited for operational standards, policies and procedures, as well as the education and training of staff, with the aim of identifying and promoting the best and most innovative practice.
Alex Flint, Chief Executive Officer, It’s in Nottingham, said:
“It’s in Nottingham are proud to deliver the Best Bar None Awards, celebrating the outstanding hospitality businesses that help make Nottingham’s night-time economy vibrant, welcoming and safe.
“The awards recognise excellence across the sector and celebrate the venues and operators that go above and beyond to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for their customers, teams and communities. We’re delighted that the hard work and commitment from the Rock City Welfare Team has been recognised in receiving this special award.
“Every venue achieving Best Bar None accreditation has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to high standards, responsible management and creating a safer, inclusive night-time economy.”
Image: Best Bar None 2026, It’s in Nottingham. Credit @tom_platimum_morley_
Posted on 15 September 2026
