As licensed premises reopen and emerge from COVID-19 restrictions, managers and staff, who may have been furloughed or newly recruited staff, will be looking to make the most of their venue’s gardens and other outdoor seating areas during the summer months.

This summer is likely to see bars, pubs, clubs, restaurants and hotels being more popular than ever following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions and families and friends choosing to holiday in the UK.

First impressions set a standard for our expectations. Customers arriving at licensed premises, such as a bar, pub, club or restaurant are likely to notice how the queue is being managed. Is social distancing being embraced and controlled? Are reception staff or dedicated security staff operating attentively and in a friendly manner?

Having good physical security measures in place can be just as important to a venue’s safety as having the right management practices in place such as age verification, queue management and effective procedures for ejecting misbehaving customers or calling the emergency services.