Cheers! It’s ‘our round’ in Brick Lane as East End boozers make it to the Best Bar None finals

A scheme to get rid of drunken yobs and make boozers around Brick Lane safe to drink in has made it to the next round of the national ‘Best Bar None’ awards.

'Your good health!' Making Brick Lane bars and clubs safe to drink in. Picture: Harmit Kambo - Credit: Harmit Kambo

The Tower Hamlets scheme launched in 2014 is riding high this year in the ‘best overall’ category with the final judging in the New Year.

“It has really helped to regenerate the area and make people feel safer, especially around Brick Lane,” its coordinator Vincent Fajilagmago said.

“We work with the police and local authority to prevent drunken disorder. To be recognised as ‘best overall’ in the country would mean so much to us.”

The scheme has 27 accredited licensed premises in the East End alone. Premises are audited by assessors to raise standards and staff training, calling ‘call time’ on sleazy drunks to cut booze-related crime and yob violence.

Winners of this year’s Best Bar None awards being announced on February 4 go on to a big celebration bash at the House of Lords.