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Sports Ready: How to Prepare Your Venue for Safe and Successful Events

With major sporting events like The Grand National, Formula One and The Masters in April followed by the FA cup final, Premier League, Champions League, and Rugby Champions Cup in May, it’s set to be a busy sporting season.  Now is the perfect time for licensees to prepare their venues and get ahead of the game.

Screening live sports can significantly boost customer numbers, spending and loyalty.  According to ‘The Value of Life Sports in Britain’s Pubs and Bars’ report:

  • Nearly 9 out of 10 customers stay out longer during games
  • 36% spend more on food and drinks
  • 75% enjoy watching in large groups, bringing friends and family together

The same report shows 56% of landlords want to attract more women and families, in part by showing more women’s events which are growing in popularity.  However creating a safer environment is key as research reveals that domestic violence against women spikes during major football tournaments - when England lost at the last FIFA World Cup, crime against women went up by a shocking 38%. 

To make sure your sporting event is a positive experience for your customers and a success for you here are some useful tips and tactics:

Female safety

  • Enhancing safety measures could include increasing staff presence, educating and training staff to spot anyone who appears vulnerable or intoxicated
  • Spiking staff should keep a watch for unattended drinks, suspicious behaviour or anyone who is feeling unwell
  • Ask for Angela ensure staff know what to do if someone asks for help, familiarise them with the Ask for Angela national scheme that supports women or anyone feeling vulnerable on a night out

Large Screens and Decorations

  • Set up safety decorating your venue is fun, but make sure you check for hazards such as flammable banners and avoid blocking high footfall areas or exits with large screens
  • Clear trip hazards remove any obstacles that could cause accidents and avoid pinch points near busy areas which cause crowding or an increase in criminal activity

Age verification

  • ID checks remind staff about the 21/25 age-identification schemes. Licensing SAVI provides free age verification and refusals templates, and it’s recommended you keep a record

Drinking Campaigns & glassware

  • Encourage responsible drinking campaigns and provide free water.  Staff should be reminded that it is an offence to serve a drunk person, or on behalf of a drunk person
  • Glassware think about using polycarbonate or similar drinking glasses to prevent injuries, and have staff on hand to quickly clear away any broken glass

Outdoor Space

  • Outdoor screening if you’re using an outside space have barriers to separate patrons from the public.  Minimise incidents with increased staff presence, regular glassware collection, and ensure all furniture is secured or removed.  Make sure the area is well lit and covered by CCTV that is in working order
  • Be mindful of neighbours think about how to manage outdoor noise and lively behaviour

Crowd Control

  • Large events consider consulting with an event safety manager or officer to manage crowds, traffic management and parking to prevent incidents, overcrowding and crushing. Please see the Purple Guide for best practices 

Medical Emergencies

  • Ensure staff are trained and keep first aid and bleed kits on site.  For larger premises, consider a defibrillator. Keep customers safe in a quiet space until the emergency services arrive. For staff first aid training courses see St John’s Ambulance

Drug Policies

  • Review your drug polices and make sure your staff are on the ball.  Licensing SAVI have a number of free policy templates to help you
  • Incident reporting is important, contact your licensing officer to agree a protocol for the safe removal of illegal substances, as failure to do so could result in staff becoming liable for unlawful possession

Staff Visibility

  • Customers feel safer when they know who to turn to quickly for help, so consider branded clothing or name badges
  • Ensure new staff are up to speed or refresh staff in general about your safety policies including how to help vulnerable, intoxicated, or patrons suffering from mental health issues
  • Communication ensure staff have a way to alert each other quickly if they need to.  Plan how staff will communicate to patrons about closing time or moving them inside

And when the final whistle goes off…

  • Regulate peaceful crowd dispersal and avoid potential anti-social behaviour, violence or crushing by gradually winding down the event with subtle clues like turning up the lights, or turning off the music
  • Close outdoor areas or outdoor bars 30 minutes before closing time to also encourage people to leave
  • Display transport and taxi options to help customers get home safely

Enjoy the sport!