Bad Apple staff win two awards. Pic: Croydon BID

A Croydon nightspot has won the titles of ‘best late night venue’ and ‘best overall bar’ at a regional awards ceremony for organisations demonstrating “high professional standards of customer care.”

The popular Park Street bar, The Bad Apple, was the big winner at the Croydon Best Bar None awards on Tuesday.

The establishment, which opened in 2012, received the award after an independent panel of judges recognised the bar’s efforts in ensuring “a safe and responsible licensed premises.”

The scheme, run in coordination with London Fire Brigade and the Metropolitan Police, aims to reward bars and pubs that help to reduce the level of alcohol related crime and disorder through responsible service.

Paul Bossick, owner of the Bad Apple, commented: “I am very proud and delighted with the work the guys have done. We are very compliant at management level and this is supported by the experienced managers we have at the Bad Apple.”

He added: “We are very aware of the possibilities that can go wrong with a night time business, and do our best to ensure that these are minimised.”

According to the Croydon Business Crime Reduction Partnership, last night was an unprecedented success, demonstrating “the considerable progress by Croydon’s night time economy.”

The Bad Apple bar, Park St. Pic: Ewan Munro

Amongst the other awards handed out last night was the Bar None’s best pub award, given to Wetherspoons’ Thornton Heath pub, Flora Sandes.

In reaction to the award, Chief Executive of Wetherspoons, John Hutson, said: “The company takes Best Bar None very seriously and we are thrilled that The Flora Sandes has won the Croydon pub award.”

He added: “Our staff work hard to ensure that the pub is a fun place to visit, as well as being safe.”

Councillor Simon Hoar, Cabinet member for Community Safety and Public Protection said: “These awards are a great scheme for the night time economy and Croydon’s reputation can only be enhanced by local premises successfully reaching and maintaining a standard of management which is nationally recognised.”