The Warehouse becomes Preston’s first Licensing SAVI venue

The Warehouse in Preston has demonstrated its commitment to staff and customer safety, receiving a National Policing Award for Safety.

The Warehouse, an award winning, three-storey nightclub venue located in the heart of Preston, Lancs, achieved this accolade after successfully taking part in a police-led initiative to improve the safety and security of its premises for the benefit of staff, customers, and local communities.

Available to licensees as an on-line self-assessment, Licensing SAVI covers topics including - responsible drinking, drugs misuse, preventing violent behaviour and safeguarding vulnerable customers through to preventing opportunist theft and improving physical security, such as lighting and CCTV systems. Most measures included in Licensing SAVI can be introduced quickly and at little or no cost.

Licensing SAVI provides consistent standards, guidance and advice that licensed premises in Wales and England need to meet the requirements of the Licensing Act 2003 and promote the four Licensing Objectives: Prevention of Public Nuisance; Prevention of Crime and Disorder; Protection of Children from Harm; and Public Safety. Licensing SAVI also includes guidance on counter terrorism, policy templates and a wide variety of downloadable posters and social media assets for accredited venues to use.

Lisa Billington from The Warehouse is proud that the venue is Preston’s first to be Licensing SAVI-certified. “This certification reflects the hard work our team puts into making The Warehouse a safe and welcoming venue. This is a fantastic achievement for both The Warehouse and Preston’s nightlife.”

The staff at The Warehouse worked alongside licensing teams from both Lancashire Constabulary and Preston City Council to achieve a 5-star rating from the Licensing SAVI assessment.

Ste Connolly, Licensing Officer at Lancashire Constabulary, commented: “As the Police Licensing Officer for Preston I am pleased to see The Warehouse become the first certified premises in Preston for the Licensing SAVI scheme. Lisa and her team work hard to provide a safe place to socialise, and this award is the recognition they deserve. Moving into 2025, we hope to continue working with key partners in rolling out Licensing SAVI across the whole of Preston, making it a safer evening and night-time economy for all to enjoy.”

Tracy Brzozowski, Licensing Manager, Preston City Council added: “The Licensing Authority for Preston City Council is delighted The Warehouse have become the first certified premises in the City on the Licensing SAVI scheme. The work of Lisa and her team is great to see - they are clearly doing their part in providing a safer place to socialise in the city.”

Ian Shuttleworth, Licensing SAVI, said: “Licensing SAVI are delighted to have The Warehouse as the first venue in Preston accredited with our award for safety, security and vulnerability. Furthermore, Lisa and the team at The Warehouse achieved our highest rating of five stars, which I must say, is really well deserved.

“Safer socialising spaces are key to a safer evening and night-time economy, and a partnership approach has to be front and centre of that. We are also grateful to our partners at both Preston City Council and Lancashire Police. Congratulations to all at The Warehouse and we look forward to rolling this out more widely across the City of Preston in the not-too-distant future.”

The assessment was developed following a request by the Home Office to Police Crime Prevention Initiatives (Police CPI), which works alongside the Police Service to deter and reduce crime. As well as providing safer and more secure venues for managers, staff, customers, and local communities, it also seeks to reduce demand on Police Forces, NHS Ambulance Services and Accident and Emergency Departments.

A YouGov survey of 5,050 adults aged 18-45 in England and Wales commissioned by Police CPI last year found that 79% of adults agreed with the statement that ‘recent publicity around the safety of women and girls has made it more important for licensed premises to improve their safety procedures’.

The research also found that support for improved safety in venues is greatest among women – with 83% of women wanting improved safety in nightclubs compared to 75% of men; and 81% of women wanting safer bars and pubs compared to 70% of men.

The first police award of its kind, Licensing SAVI aims to support the licensing trade and is backed by the National Police Chiefs’ Council and Project Servator, a police-led vigilance scheme to deter terrorist attacks at crowded-places.

Contact:
The Warehouse
Tel: 01772 253216
Address: 50 St Johns Place, Preston, PR1 3XX
Web: warehousenightclub.co.uk

For further information visit:
Licensing SAVI:
Email:
Web: licensingsavi.com 

About Police CPI
Police Crime Prevention Initiatives (Police CPI) is a police-owned, not-for-profit organisation which delivers a wide range of innovative and ground-breaking crime prevention and demand reduction initiatives to support the UK Police Service, Government and the public. Senior police officers control and direct the work Police CPI carries out on behalf of the Police Service.

Visit: policecpi.com