Top Venues Win Big at Safety Thirst Awards
In a ceremony at the historic Guildhall, the Safety Thirst Awards recognised top licensed venues in the City of London. This year, Jin Bo Law, Madison, and Mr Fogg’s City Tavern were the standout winners, highlighting their commitment to safety and excellence.
The Safety Thirst Awards, established by the City of London Corporation in 2006, celebrate cafes, bars, pubs, clubs, restaurants, and event venues within the Square Mile that uphold high standards. This year, a record 75 venues were accredited, reflecting the thriving nightlife and dedication to safety in the heart of London.
For the second time, Mr Fogg’s City Tavern claimed the top honour, joined by first-time entrant Jin Bo Law and the renowned Madison. These venues were recognised for their efforts in creating safe and enjoyable environments for patrons. James Tumbridge, Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s Licensing Committee, said, “Many congratulations to the winners of this year’s Safety Thirst scheme. The increasing number of accredited venues is a testament to the quality of City licensees, who take their customer safety and service so seriously. As footfall continues to rise, it’s wonderful to see so many engaged venues.”
This year’s awards introduced new criteria addressing counter-terrorism, combating drink spiking, enhancing women’s safety, tackling sexual harassment, and suicide prevention. These additions reflect the UK’s priority on maintaining a safe night-time economy. Accredited venues benefit from a 30% discount on the City’s late-night levy, applicable to establishments licensed to sell alcohol between midnight and 6 am. Currently, 310 venues in the City pay this levy, highlighting the widespread commitment to maintaining high safety standards.
Jay Sebode, General Manager of Mr Fogg’s City Tavern, expressed his pride, stating, “It is a great pride to receive the overall winner award, it is a recognition of all the work we do here at Mr Fogg’s City Tavern to create a welcoming and safe environment for our guests. As a licensed premises, we have a duty of care towards the community and we take that responsibility seriously.”
Med Rogers, Director of Operations for Madison, echoed this sentiment, saying, “We are delighted to receive such an accolade from the City of London Corporation celebrating our commitment to the safety of our guests – which is essential to every great night out.”
Marta Poslednik, Back of House and Human Resources Manager at Jin Bo Law, added, “We are incredibly honoured by this recognition. It shows that we are dedicated to providing a safe and welcoming environment for everyone who visits us. Our entire team has worked hard for this, and it motivates us to keep making safety and excellence our top priorities.”
The Square Mile, home to over 900 licensed premises, including 310 that serve alcohol after midnight, continues to be a hub for global business and leisure. With over 140 establishments offering al fresco seating, the City’s vibrancy and appeal remain strong.
The Safety Thirst Awards are a key part of the City Corporation’s Destination City initiative, aiming to transform the Square Mile into a seven-day-a-week magnet for businesses, residents, visitors, and workers alike. Tumbridge emphasised, “Accredited venues raise the profile of the Square Mile as a safe place in which to enjoy a night out, as well as underlining the importance that we place on the safety of visitors to our night-time economy.”
