EIGHT city nightspots are in the running to be named the best licensed premises in Scotland.

The pubs, clubs, hotels and other venues have been shortlisted in the Best Bar None awards which will be presented at the Dunblane Hydro on Thursday.

The eight Glasgow finalists were selected from 430 Best Bar None member premises competing to be named the best in 10 categories.

They are the Blythswood Hotel, the Crystal Palace pub, the Mailcoach pub, McNabb’s bar, the Croft Bar, the Garage nightclub, Strathclyde Students Union and Queen Margaret Union.

Eleanor Lee of Community Safety Glasgow which operates Glasgow award scheme said: “We are extremely proud of the eight Glasgow venues Shortlisted for the national Best Bar None awards this year as they have worked so hard and deserve to do well.”

An independent assessor inspects the city’s Best Bar None member premises and if they meet the criteria, they earn a bronze silver or gold award.

Overall gold winners in each category of the Glasgow awards then qualify for the national contest.

Arlene Campbell, national lead for Best Bar None Scotland, said: “The Best Bar None Awards continue to grow year-on-year and it is great to see 53 venues from 16 areas of Scotland represented to showcase the commitment and support these venues offer their customers and local communities.”

The focus of the Best Bar None scheme is on public safety and customer care, together with prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, preventing public nuisance, protecting and improving public health and protecting children from harm.

Being accredited to the scheme shows the venue and its staff have met a level of standards that assures the public they will be able to enjoy a safe and welcoming atmosphere.

Premises which wish to join are assessed by trained assessors and are scored according to national guidelines.