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Important Notice: Closure of Licensing SAVI

Since our launch, Licensing SAVI has been proud to support thousands of venues across England and Wales in raising safety standards and reducing vulnerability within the night-time economy.

The initiative has operated for five years however, after review, is to close with effect from 30 April 2026.

·       Effective closure date: 30 April 2026

·       Existing accreditations: If a venue is currently accredited their Licensing SAVI accreditation status remains active for the remainder of their one-year accreditation period, with access to all assets. However they will not be able to renew their accreditation once it expires

·       New applications: We will not be accepting new accreditation applications from venues

Who to Contact Now:

·       For Licensing SAVI specific queries: Please contact 

·       For licensing advice & safety concerns: Please contact your local Police Alcohol Licensing Officer (PALO)

·       For regulatory or statutory enquiries: Please contact your Local Authority Licensing Team

Signage in Licensed Venues

From clearly illuminated fire exit signs to discreet crime prevention posters, signage plays a vital role in the safety, security and effective management of licensed venues. Whether you manage a lively nightclub, a quiet pub, or a venue offering adult entertainment, well-placed signage doesn’t just support compliance, it sets expectations, reinforces your house rules and helps create a safer environment for everyone.

In this blog we explore what signage is legally required, what’s considered best practice, and how strategic placement can enhance both customer safety and venue operations.

Legal Requirements: What You Must Display

Certain types of signage are non-negotiable - they’re required by law and help ensure basic health, safety and licensing compliance:

Fire Safety Signs
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996, all business premises must have fire safety signage. At a minimum, this includes:

  • Illuminated Fire Exit signs (clearly showing escape routes)
  • Fire extinguisher location signs
  • Fire action notices

Effective placement is key - signs should be visible, legible and supported by emergency lighting where needed.

Premises Licence Summary
The summary of your premises licence must be displayed in a prominent position where it’s easily viewable by the public and enforcement officers.

No Smoking/Vaping Notices
Venues are legally required to display clear signs stating that smoking is not permitted indoors and, where applicable, designate outdoor smoking/vaping areas.

Age Verification
If you operate under a Challenge 21 or Challenge 25 policy (and you should), this must be communicated through clear signage at entrances and points of sale. Licensing SAVI offers tailored age verification signs to help you meet this requirement.

CCTV in Use
If CCTV is in operation, customers must be made aware through signage. This isn’t just good practice - it’s required under GDPR and surveillance camera codes of practice.

Best Practice: Signage That Supports Safety and Order

Beyond legal obligations, signage can be used as a proactive crime prevention and safety tool. Effective venues combine well-lit operational signs with discreet, targeted messages to guide behaviour and prevent incidents.

Here’s what we recommend:

Staff-Only/No Entry Areas
Prevent accidental entry or theft by clearly marking kitchens, storage rooms, and staff areas.

Welfare and Conduct Notices
Especially in venues offering adult entertainment, signage outlining house rules is essential. These should be placed at entry points, stages and seating areas, with clear explanations of the rules, as well as the consequences of not following them.

Respect and Behavioural Expectations
Signs reminding patrons to:

  • Treat staff with respect (‘No staff abuse tolerated’)
  • Disperse quietly and respect neighbours
  • Avoid antisocial behaviour

These set the tone and help reduce conflict.

Drugs Policy & Spiking Awareness
Make your stance on drugs and spiking clear with visual warnings. Licensing SAVI offers downloadable templates tailored to these messages.

Crime Prevention Campaigns
Posters reminding customers to look after personal belongings (e.g., ‘Look up, look out - thieves about’) are especially effective in busy urban venues.

Hazardous Materials (Staff Areas)
Staff working with cleaning chemicals or equipment must be informed of risks via proper hazard signage.

Placement Matters: Visibility vs. Discretion

Signage must strike a balance between visibility and subtlety, depending on the venue type and audience. Consider:

  • Illuminated and functional signs (e.g. fire exits, CCTV) should be highly visible.
  • Posters about conduct or crime prevention may be more effective placed near entrances, toilets, or cloakrooms - seen when needed but not overbearing.

Multilingual signs or pictograms may be helpful in diverse communities, and signage should be checked regularly for wear and tear.

Signs Speak Louder Than Words

Clear, consistent signage not only helps you stay compliant, it can deter crime, improve safety and enhance customer experience. From mandatory fire exit markers to supportive messages on spiking prevention, what you display on your walls sends a strong message about the kind of venue you run.

Licensing SAVI offers templates and resources to help you choose the right signage for your premises. For a safer venue and peace of mind, let your signs do the talking.

Download our handy Licensing SAVI Venue Poster Kit

Download the Licensed Venue Signage Kit

Clicking the above link will take you to a Google Drive zip file. Click the download icon in the top right to download the entire folder. You may have to unzip the downloaded folder to use the contained poster files.

Further information around employee and customer protection and vulnerability is available within the Licensing SAVI assessment.

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