National Pubwatch has launched the Safer Night Time Economy Awards, to recognise exceptional courage and commitment shown by individuals who go above and beyond to keep people safe in the licensed trade.
The voluntary organisation, which supports more than 800 Pubwatch schemes across the UK, honoured 13 individuals whose actions prevented serious harm and saved lives.
Their acts of bravery ranged from intervening in a knife attack and a drink-spiking incident, to preventing suicide attempts and protecting vulnerable customers.
The inaugural awards ceremony, sponsored by Diageo, was held at Brewers’ Hall, London. Bravery and Meritorious Conduct Awards were presented to:
- Ben Pilott, bar manager, and Thomas Endersby, door supervisor, at the Dizzy Donkey, in Dover, who saved the life of a woman during a knife attack.
- James Peggie, a doorman working at Montagues bar, Kirkcaldy, Scotland, who intervened to stop a young man from taking his own life.
- Simon Hatfield, licensee of the Nuthatch Bar, in Middlesbrough, who saved a customer’s life after they suffered a cardiac arrest.
- Holly Napier, Zita Wright, Charlotte Nairns, Ross Walker, and Charlie Robson, staff at the Wetherspoon pub the Bishops Mill, in Durham, who prevented a female customer from taking her own life.
- Connor Sullivan, Wetherspoon duty manager at the Standing Order, in Derby, who acted decisively to protect female customers following a drink-spiking incident.
- Calum Jameson and Ewelina Fesnak, licensees of the Dog and Duck, in Southampton, who intervened to protect a vulnerable woman.
- Krystal Fishlock, a member of the public, for her courage in preventing the attempted kidnapping of a young woman in Swindon town centre.
A Malcolm Eidmans Award was also made to Nottingham Police Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Paul Gummer, for his long-term dedication and enthusiastic support for the Nottingham City Pubwatch Scheme. The award recognises the outstanding contribution made by a police officer or member of police staff in supporting Pubwatch.
The awards were presented by Tonia Antoniazzi, MP for Gower and chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group.
“It is a real privilege to recognise these outstanding individuals, who have either shown tremendous courage or acted selflessly to save life or reduce harm to people socialising in the night-time economy,” said Steve Baker OBE, National Pubwatch chair.
“Their heroic actions are a powerful reminder of the vital role played by licensees, door staff, pub teams, and members of the public. We would also like to thank Diageo for sponsoring these awards and ensuring that the recipients receive recognition at such a prestigious event.”
