Information & Support for Door Supervisors - National Doorwatch

The Channel 4 programme "Bouncers" illustrated perfectly why the profession is in danger of being taken in-house by the more astute companies.

Channel 4 programme calls time on "Bouncers"

Congratulations to the producers of the Channel 4 programme “Bouncers” (Weds 01/02/12).  In just one hour they made the perfect case for professional operators in the events, hospitality and leisure industry (EHLI) to bring security back in-house.  No doubt there will be those who will argue this would never happen in their city, town, business, event or venue.  This programme from its title, right through to its social commentary, epitomises the challenge faced by everyone involved in creating a vibrant EHLI throughout the UK. 

The key ingredient to resolving all these challenges will be proactive leadership and innovative ideas.  At present there is a lack of both of these ingredients, as organisations and individuals focus on the politics of survival rather than future.  This is an understandable position to take, but is it sensible?  In many ways it resembles the fairytale of the “Emperor’s new clothes”.  In this tale the Emperor’s courtiers were afraid to tell him, more than his vanity was being exposed by clothes made from a thread so fine it was invisible to the naked eye.  Consequently ignoring the reality of the current situation or leaving it to others to resolve may result in a similar level of exposure.

As the Government has clearly abdicated its responsibility to provide leadership for all, rather than the few, it is up to the EHLI to step forward.  Operators throughout the EHLI need to take responsibility for the things they can change, and work in partnership with others to change the things which are currently beyond their control.  One of the cheapest and simplest things that can be done is providing customers with the highest standards of quality and service possible.  Nowhere is the need for this more relevant than for those working front-of-house.  Therefore by bringing responsibility for the safety and security of customers back in-house, operators in the EHLI are making a vital first step in securing their future.

The other step operators in the EHLI can take, is writing to their MP.  They should point out that pretending it’s the EHLI which is solely responsible for all the ills at events and venues is another example of the Emperor’s fairytale.  Rather than confront this truth, successive governments have chosen to turn a blind eye to developing effective deterrents for this type of anti-social behaviour and concentrated their efforts on punishing operators.  The fact is licensed venues operating in the EHLI, are now some of the most highly regulated environments in the world.  Unfortunately there has been no corresponding level of regulation in relation to those exhibiting challenging behaviour, which is alcohol or other drug induced.  Nowhere is this more clearly illustrated than when the head of the CPS (Keir Starmer) states on national TV common assault on workers in the EHLI are only worthy of a fixed penalty notice (FPN).

Finally this year will see the introduction of the “Late Night Stealth Tax”.  This tax, like all other taxes throughout history, will be the thin end of the wedge.  It is absolutely critical that the EHLI make it clear there can be no taxation without representation.