SIA

Title – SIA

The Security Industry Authority better known as the SIA, was set up by the British Government “…to manage the licensing of the private security industry as set out in the Private Security Industry Act 2001 … to raise standards of professionalism and skills within the private security industry...”.

Beyond The Blue is an approved centre who administer the National Certificate for Door Supervisors (NCDS). Candidates completing these examinations and meeting the requirements required by the SIA are eligible to apply for the SIA Door Supervisors licence.

Being awarded this licence allows individuals to work within the licensed retail sector security industry as a Door Supervisor in bars, pubs clubs etc. Being awarded this licence also allows the holder to work in the static and retail guarding sector without the need for further training or qualification.

It should be noted that people awarded the SIA guarding licence are not allowed to cross over into licensed door supervision. For this reason Beyond The Blue recommends the door supervisors training as the more sensible and cost effective approach; it allows those attaining it to explore a wider range of employment options and can lead to higher rates of pay and better job opportunities.

Please visit our website at www.btbl.co.uk

Licensed Bars

Title – Licensed Bars
Date – May 2007

Licensed retailing is far from easy, the concept that many have of buying a bar or pub and “retiring” to work in it, as a blissful and profitable way of life once their primary career comes to an end, is very short sighted.

The licensed retail trade is one of the countries most competitive. In 2006 over 25 pubs closed in the UK every month. Many more struggled along month after month desperately trying to make the figures at the end of each month turn in tiny profits; while landlords and managers worked every hour of each day and each day of every week, without a break.

There is no doubt that some are also a great success, but there is no straightforward formula for this success. Those individual bars and pubs that shine, are usually the result of the enlightened insight of the person running them, the way they understand their customer base and the quality of service they provide.

Sometimes the very nature of the work and the commitment required clouds the judgement of those desperate to make a success of the business. The expert advice of a skilled, experienced professional can make all the difference. It can shed a new light on where things need to be changed or improved and what services you are providing that already meet the high standards that success in the licensed trade demands.

Some of the most successful businesses in the industry have developed chains where they roll out very successful venues across the country based on sound fundamentals. These can be very successful if the formula is right at the time. But as some have learnt to their detriment, standing still is never an option; the industry never stops moving forward and leaves behind those that can’t keep up. The successful companies dominate by understanding their target market and providing exactly the services and standards their customers demand.

Beyond The Blue offers a Licensed Retail Sector Consultancy Service to help you address areas of your business that are in need of it and can help businesses that are already successful build on that success through strategic planning. For larger companies we also offer training packages including; the portfolio of BIIAB Licensing Courses; In-House Security Induction Courses (IHSI), Conflict Management & Resolution courses (CMR), National Certificate for Door Supervisors (NCDS), and Fire Safety (FS) training.

Please visit our website at www.btbl.co.uk

Image – Peter Mayhew