CHESHIRE West and Chester Council and Cheshire Police have announced that the ArcAngel Protected Town initiative endorsed by Pubwatch will be launching in Chester.

The standards based approach, run in partnership with local Councils as well as Cheshire Fire and Rescue service and NHS trusts will ensure pubs are strictly adhering to drink regulations.

It aims to tackle problems associated with alcohol and the influence alcohol has on people's behaviour.

The scheme is ambitious and involves driving up standards within the night time economy both with the licensing trade and with members of the public who choose to socialise in the city.

Following recent visits to assess whether currently the standards of the approach are being met, 14 of Chester's pubs and clubs have now signed up to the scheme's code of practice.

Standards are being communicated to additional premises in Chester and a series of assessment visits are currently under way.

At the end of the visit premises will be awarded the status of ArcAngel accredited premises. Once 50% of the premises in Chester have been accredited the city will then achieve ArcAngel protected status.

In addition, a public code of conduct has been produced and is being promoted by officers who patrol the city centre during the evening.

This alerts the members of the public passing through the city, that they are expected to adhere to the ArcAngel standards of behaviour.

Premises that have signed up so far are: Watergate Inn; Ship Victory; Amphitheatre; Forest House; Square Bottle; Commercial; Laugh Inn; Rosies; Racecourse; Cruise; Oddfellows Arms; Level Two; Watergates; Duttons Wine Bar.

The council’s executive member for community and environment, Councillor Lynn Riley, said: “ArcAngel is really a win-win all round. It’s going to provide us with a brand that identifies Chester as a great place to be, where people can come out and be assured that the licensed premises they visit are well managed, well maintained and places they can enjoy themselves.”

Inspector Ian Thorpe, said: “It is fantastic that so many premises in the city have shown an interest in becoming part of the ArcAngel scheme.

“It not only benefits the community but the businesses themselves.”

Frank Marnell, chair of Pub Watch for Chester, said: “It can only be a good thing for the city. I'm really pleased to see that a big part of it is teaching teenagers how to drink safely because they are going to be my next generation of customers.”