For the second year running, South Wales Police have teamed up with 29 pubs and restaurants to launch their designated driver scheme.

Ahead of the busy Christmas period, the thirteen licensed premises will offer free draught soft drinks to designated drivers. A designated driver is someone who abstains from drinking alcohol to act as the responsible driver.

The aim of the scheme is to promote responsible drinking with road safety in mind. The Holiday Inn Hotel Cardiff (pictured) was one of the first premises to sign up to the new scheme, which included The Philharmonic, Brewhouse and Revolution among many others across Cardiff and the wider force.

Claire Dewhurst South Wales Police licensing Officer said,“‘I am really pleased to have launched I’m DES’ (Designated Driver) Scheme for the second year in a row.

The scheme would run with customer’s making themselves known to bar staff as ‘DES’ then they are given a wrist band and given free draught soft drinks/squash.

The scheme has already proved to be really successful. We are encouraging everyone to participate especially during this festive period when everyone is out enjoying themselves. We all know it can sometimes be a burden being the designated driver but we are hopeful that this scheme will encourage more people to be aware of drink driving and the importance of being safe on the roads.”

So many premises are on board to support this worthwhile initiative. DES is not just for Christmas! Be a hero! Be a DES! And if you are a Licensed premise and would like to join the scheme then please contact your local licensing team.”

Richard Platts, General Manager of Holiday Inn, Cardiff said,“We are delighted to be a part of this innovative scheme set up by South Wales Police. We want to ensure our customers have the most enjoyable time this Christmas while also being responsible, and this scheme certainly helps that!”

The DES scheme was included as part of a partnership group within Cardiff – Cardiff Community Alcohol Partnership (CAP) and has won a national award for its work in educating 18-25 year olds about the risks of excessive drinking. The partnership was praised for the work it has done to engage 18-25 years olds in Cardiff.

The full list of licensed premises signed up to the scheme can be found below:

The Philharmonic, 76-77 St Mary Street, Cardiff
Brew Monster Tap House, 31 High Street, Cardiff
Revolution, 9-11 Castle St, Cardiff
Retro, 7 Mill Lane, Cardiff
Brewhouse, Brewery ¼, Cardiff
The Bluebell, 33 High Street, Cardiff
The Daffodil, 33 Windsor Place, Cardiff
The Dock, Mermaid Quay, Cardiff Bay
The Park, Barry
The Admiral, Canton
The Cottage, Cardiff
The Cornwall, Grangetown
The Bute Arms, Aberdare
The Royal Exchange, Llandaff North
Metros Nightclubs, 10 Bakers Row, Cardiff
Misfits, 7 Miskin Street, Cathays, Cardiff
The Royal George, 1-5 Mackintosh Place, Cardiff
Clayton Hotels, St.Mary Street, Cardiff
Holiday Inn, Castle Street, Cardiff
Parkinn Hotel, Mary Ann Street, Cardiff
The White Hart, Wine Street, Llantwit Major
Tudor Tavern, 14 Church Street, Llantwit Major
Llantwit Major RFC, Boverton Road, Llantwit Major
The Kings Head, East Street, Llantwit Major
The Old Swan Inn, Church Street, Llantwit Major
The Boverton Castle, Boverton Road, Llantwit Major
Tramshed, Pendyris Street, Cardiff
Cardiff Marriott Hotel, Mill Lane, Cardiff