CHESHIRE West and Chester Council and Cheshire Police have announced that the ArcAngel Protected Town initiative, endorsed by Pubwatch, will be launched 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 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 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; Chester Racecourse; Cruise; Oddfellows Arms; Level Two; Watergates; Duttons Wine Bar.