Safety Thirst Awards: Four City venues scoop top honours as record 78 sites gain accreditation

You can feel it on a Thursday night: the Square Mile’s evening scene is back on its feet. That was the mood at Guildhall, where this year’s Safety Thirst 2025 Awards named The Steel Yard (Overall Winner), Forge on Cornhill (Runner-up), 1 Lombard Street (Best Safety Initiative) and the East India Arms on Gracechurch Street (Best Community Contribution). Just as striking: 78 venues were accredited this year, the highest number since the scheme began in 2006, adding to a network of 310 accredited premises across our patch.

Safety Thirst 2025 is the Square Mile’s licensing authority–run scheme for cafés, bars, pubs, clubs, restaurants and event spaces that put safety front and centre. It’s a simple promise to customers and neighbours: well-managed venues, less crime and disorder, and a night out that feels looked-after.

Why this matters here

Safety Thirst has quietly become part of the Square Mile’s plan to keep its evenings lively and welcoming. It now checks for things that locals tell us matter most: anti-spiking measures, tackling sexual harassment, improving women’s safety, suicide prevention and counter-terrorism preparedness. Accredited venues also get a 30% discount on the late-night levy (for premises serving alcohol between midnight and 6am), recognition that investing in safety benefits the whole community.

The scheme backs Destination City, the growth drive to attract businesses, workers and visitors so our district keeps pulling its weight in London’s and the UK’s economy. In plain terms: safe, well-run venues bring people back.

The 2025 winners — in their own words

• Overall Winner — The Steel Yard (All Hallows Lane) “It’s an honour to have won Overall Winner,” said Ian McGregor, Chief Building Officer. “We take real pride in providing a safe space for people to enjoy the wide range of events we host.”
  thesteelyard.london
• Runner-up — Forge (Cornhill) “Creating a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment is at the heart of everything we do,” said Roger Payne, CEO at Eclection Group, which operates Forge.
  forgelondon.co.uk
• Best Safety Initiative — 1 Lombard Street “Receiving this award feels like a collective win,” said Maite Belausteguigoitia, Head of Beverages. “We’re committed to keeping 1 Lombard Street safe, welcoming and lively from breakfast through dinner.”
  1lombardstreet.com
• Best Community Contribution — East India Arms (Gracechurch Street) “There’s been a pub on this site since the 1630s, with the current building dating from 1829,” said Bob Benton, licensee. “We love serving workers, tourists and the local community.”
  East India Arms

So… what exactly is Safety Thirst?

Think of it as a badge of good practice for the night-time economy. Venues apply, the licensing team carries out a site assessment, and accreditation is awarded only if the standards are met. The checklist has grown in step with the real world – from door policies and staff training to anti-spiking kits, welfare spaces and reporting routes when something’s not right. Accredited venues are listed by the authority and reviewed regularly.

• Learn more / apply: Safety Thirst → cityoflondon.gov.uk/services/licensing/night-time-economy
• About Destination City → cityoflondon.gov.uk/supporting-businesses/business-support-and-advice/destination-city
• Awards venue: Guildhall → cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/guildhall

By the numbers (our patch at night)

• ~960 licensed premises operate in the Square Mile
• 310 can serve alcohol after midnight
• 160+ pubs, cafés, bars and restaurants offer al fresco seating – adding to the after-work buzz

We’re glad to see more venues step up for safer nights out. If you spot good practice, or gaps, tell us. Local feedback is how programmes like Safety Thirst improve year on year.

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[Image Credit | Trip Advisor]

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