SIA's phones jam in licensing rush

by Ewan Turney

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) switchboard has become gridlocked as it tries to deal with more than 150 calls an hour from frustrated doorstaff chasing applications.

The Morning Advertiser was unable to get through the jam on seven separate occasions. When a call was eventually answered it was by a recorded message saying the organisation was "extremely busy" and to try again later or try the website.

The authority has also come under fire for not allowing anyone but doorstaff to check on the progress of the applications.

Paul Kinsey, managing director of Nexum Leisure, said he had employed someone to specifically chase up applications on behalf of doorstaff using their ID number. "Up until last week this wasn't a problem," added Kinsey.

"But now the SIA have said only the doorman himself can ring up because of data protection. The problem is we are now sitting here impotent. There is nothing we can do to push it forward."

John Wrackham, owner of JD's Bar and Club Room in Sutton Coldfield, said he had experienced similar problems after one of his staff had his application returned on four occasions.

"We tried phoning for over a fortnight but there was no answer," said Wrackham. "How is a lad who works here as a second job supposed to deal with it all? And I am not allowed to help because of data protection. It has become a nightmare."

SIA spokesman Robert Buxton said: "I am glad to say applications are coming in at a good rate now after a slow start. The phones are busy but there is information on the website and they can e-mail in.

"The process will take six weeks so there is not much point ringing in before that."

Jon Collins, chief executive of the Bar Entertainment & Dance Association, said the problems experienced by the SIA should act as a warning to licensees to get their licensing applications in as soon as possible.

"There can be no discretionary period or flexibility granted on licensing transition," he said. In the last couple of weeks [of the transitional period], local authorities are likely to be flooded with applications.

"The big danger is you hear nothing after two or three weeks and then it is returned after the 6 August deadline as incorrect and you lose your grandfather rights."