Doorstaff Games alarm
Critics have been quick to point out this demand by the Orwellian-titled ‘News Co-ordination Centre’ is a fairly overt attempt to spin the Olympics in a positive way for the coalition Government.
Those in the pub trade don’t need telling that the Games is a chance for the industry to create some good news of its own and provide a welcome revenue booster but, as ever, with opportunities come big challenges.
Our lead story this week demonstrates that these challenges aren’t just limited to those operating in London and the south-east.
“There aren’t enough doorstaff to go around” is the stark warning from the Metropolitan Police and other official agencies.
A chronic shortage of licensed door supervisors is set to have a knock-on effect for pub and bar operators UK-wide in the weeks before and during the Olympics.
The lure of more money and more work during the Games will attract doorstaff from around the country to the capital, providing a real risk of business disruption to those that must use door supervisors as part of the terms of their licence.
This could lead to the unpalatable situation of pubs being unable to open as they don’t have the required Security Industry Authority-registered staff on the door. Any Olympic feel-good factor would soon dissipate if that were the case.
So it’s down to licensees to plan now to head off any disruption. Speak to your security contractors about introducing incentives for staff; talk to doorstaff about the benefits of staying and persuade them the streets of London aren’t really paved with gold.
Awards time
It’s been a busy start to the year for us at the Publican’s Morning Advertiser, with the team travelling around the country visiting pubs, brewers and headquarters as part of judging for the Publican Awards.
This process concluded last week with a Q&A in London, where finalists were quizzed by industry experts on the judging panel. With the level of questioning reaching almost Paxman-esque intensity, it’s fair to say that whoever wins will be most deserving of their award!
Here at the PMA we’ve been impressed by the investment the pub trade has put into reinvigorating sites, the creativity shown in marketing, the commitment to staff training and development, and the dedication to raising standards. Congratulations to all the finalists.
The best in the business will be on show at the Publican Awards night at London’s Grosvenor House hotel on 27 March. And
it’s not too late to book your ticket — visit www.publicanawards.co.uk. See you there.
