The Ashford Club, The County Hotel, Cameo, Matches, Valerie’s and Ashford Truck Stop were presented with recognition certificates at Ashford police station on 9 July 2026 under the Home Office-supported Best Bar None scheme.
Six Ashford venues have been awarded Best Bar None accreditation for their commitment to safety and responsible management of their licensed premises. Certificates were handed over at Ashford police station on 9 July 2026 during a meeting of the Ashford Partnership Against Crime (APAC) Pubwatch group — Kent Police’s Ashford District Commander and licensing officer were both present, alongside managers from a number of the accredited venues.
Best Bar None is a national, Home Office-supported scheme that recognises licensed premises meeting defined standards around responsible alcohol sales, security, customer welfare, staff training and active engagement with partners including Kent Police. Its stated aim is to reduce alcohol-related crime.
Chief Inspector Jennifer Bassan, Ashford’s District Commander for Kent Police, said collaboration with licensed premises and partner agencies was a “vital tool in keeping people safe when they are out socialising” and that systems were in place to deal “promptly and robustly” with incidents when reported. She said she was pleased local establishments had been recognised.
Councillor Ray McGeever, Chair of Ashford Borough Council’s Licensing Committee, publicly thanked all six venues alongside Kent Police, APAC, Pubwatch members and other partners. He said their dedication helps make Ashford “a safer and more attractive place to socialise, work and visit”. He also expressed hope that more local businesses would sign up to the scheme in future.
PC Alistair Pringle, Kent Police’s licensing officer, was also involved in the presentations. The six venues that received accreditation were, according to Ashford Borough Council, The Ashford Club, The County Hotel, Cameo, Matches, Valerie’s, and Ashford Truck Stop.