Door security staff shortages ‘now becoming critical’:

Door security staff shortages ‘now becoming critical’: Door security staff shortages in the night-time economy are becoming critical, the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has warned. The lack of security personnel comes at a time when hospitality businesses are being hit by a cocktail of rising costs and are trying to rebound from months of closures during the pandemic, with some estimates suggesting venues are having to pay security staff as much as 25% more. About one in five night-time and hospitality businesses had to close last month or operate on reduced hours as a result of a shortage of security staff, according to the NTIA. However, the NTIA warned the situation had subsequently “deteriorated further”, at a time when consumer demand for nights out and dancing has been soaring following the easing of government restrictions. NTIA chief executive Michael Kill said: “Door security staff shortages in the night time economy are becoming critical. We carried out a survey a few months ago which found that security resource in the sector was only at 70%, and I am afraid that the situation has only deteriorated further since then. Whether it is through acting as a first line of defence against a terrorist attack, or intervening to break up violent incidents, licensed security staff are fundamental to public safety. The current shortages are beginning to put the public in real jeopardy.” The UK’s largest nightclub operator, Rekom UK, and Revolution Bars Group have also reported suffering from a shortage of bouncers. Peter Marks, the chief executive of Rekom UK, told The Guardian the problem had been “building slowly but has become so much worse since the pandemic”. Sacha Lord, the night-time economy adviser for Greater Manchester, said “security staffing was the biggest issue” at this year’s Parklife festival, which he co-founded. Lord added that the 124 security staff working at the Warehouse Project nightclub events, taking place on Friday and Saturday nights until January, are being paid about 25% more than previously, assuming the higher wage bills charged by security providers are being passed on to workers. Hospitality businesses have been sounding the alarm over staffing shortages for the past few months since lockdown restrictions were eased, with security vacancies just the latest problem, after insufficient numbers of bar staff, chefs and other kitchen workers. Many security workers left their jobs during the pandemic as nightclubs and late-night venues were closed, with many finding jobs elsewhere with more suitable hours. Security staff at venues are fundamental to protecting the public, the NTIA said, calling for government action.