PUBS, clubs and bars are celebrating after being recognised in a prestigious awards ceremony.

Those in the licensed trade industry, and Best Bar None partners, gathered at the Corn Exchange on Wednesday night where 12 Best Bar None awards were up for grabs. The Dove Street Inn was crowned the overall winner, and the People’s Choice award, which was sponsored by The Ipswich Star, went to Bowmans Bar and Lounge.

Ipswich Best Bar None is a partnership led by Ipswich Borough Council, Suffolk Constabulary and Ipswich Central.

The awards were designed to reward the good practices of licensed premises in the town and help keep Ipswich on the map as Suffolk’s premier destination for a great, safe night out.

Paul Clement, chief executive of Ipswich Central, said: “Best Bar None is an excellent scheme – it helps raise the profile of Ipswich which can only be a good thing. It means that visitors to Ipswich can be offered extra reassurance when choosing where to go for a night out.”

Douglas Paxton, chief constable at Suffolk Police, added: “It is credit to the licensed trade that the Ipswich Best Bar None scheme goes from strength to strength and is now in its third year. The Best Bar None scheme is a partnership that delivers results, be this the partnership between the Constabulary and other key community stakeholders or the partnership between the licensed premises and the Constabulary.”

Other winners were; Best Bar (Sponsor Matthew Clark) – Ipswich Town Hall & Corn Exchange, Best Community Venue – The Kingfisher Pub, Best Town Centre Venue – The Spread Eagle, Best Club (Sponsor Heineken) – Groove, Best Independent Bar – Bowmans, Best Independent Pub (Sponsor UCS) – The Dove Street Inn, Best Independent Club – Bettys, Family Friendly (Sponsor ITFC) – The Kingfisher Pub, Best Pub – The Robert Ransome and a special recognition award was given to Pc Jon Alcock.