Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall, home to the Hallé Orchestra, has received a National Policing Award for Safety, says a new report issued by the Licensing Security and Vulnerability Initiative (Licensing SAVI)

Accolade
The Bridgewater Hall achieved this accolade after successfully implementing measures to ensure the continued safety and security of its premises for the benefit of staff, customers, and local communities.

Opened for its first concert in 1996, The Bridgewater Hall’s design was informed by acoustic considerations, creating a space protected from all outside noise and vibration. Seating nearly 2,400 people, the venue hosts over 300 performances a year across a variety of music genres.

With large numbers of customers attending every week, the staff team at The Bridgewater Hall carried out the Licensing SAVI assessment, reviewing current safety and security measures and policies and implementing advice given on how to improve in other areas.

The Bridgewater Hall submitted a 5-star accreditation, joining a number of other licensed venues in the Manchester area to demonstrate their commitment to staff, customer and community safety.

Armelle Rainjonneau, Operations Manager, The Bridgewater Hall, said: “We are immensely proud to have been accredited 5 stars for Licensing SAVI.

“This is an ongoing commitment from and to The Bridgewater Hall teams that can only help our business growth, promote good practices, and ensure our staff, patrons, delegates, promoters and clients have a safe and enjoyable time while working at or visiting The Bridgewater Hall.”

Licensing SAVI

Ian Shuttleworth, Licensing SAVI, commented: “We are delighted that a venue such as The Bridgewater Hall has undertaken our accreditation process and has been accredited with our highest 5 star rating, showing how our Licensing SAVI assessment fits across a host of different venue types.

“Armelle and the team continue to show how seriously they take staff and customer safety, security and vulnerability, and we congratulate them on their achievement.

“We welcome The Bridgewater Hall into the rapidly growing number of venues across the country to undertake the Licensing SAVI accreditation process.”

Superintendent Phil Spurgeon, Lead for Policing in Manchester City Centre, added: “While several schemes exist, it’s great that The Bridgewater Hall has secured Licensing SAVI accreditation. It shows their commitment to safety and security and contributes to the city’s wider cultural and community safety offer.”

Licensing SAVI was developed at the request of the Home Office by Police Crime Prevention Initiatives (Police CPI), which works alongside the Police Service to deter and reduce crime.

As well as provide safer and more secure venues for managers, staff, customers, and local communities, it also seeks to reduce demand on Police Forces, NHS Ambulance Services and Accident & Emergency Departments.

Available to licensees as an on-line self-assessment, Licensing SAVI covers critical issues like responsible drinking, drugs misuse, violent behaviour and safeguarding vulnerable customers through to preventing opportunist theft and improving physical security, such as lighting and CCTV systems.

Most measures included in Licensing SAVI can be introduced quickly and at little or no cost.
The first police award of its kind, Licensing SAVI aims to support the licensing trade and is backed by the National Police Chiefs’ Council and Project Servator, a police-led vigilance scheme to deter terrorist attacks at crowded-places.

The first police award of its kind, Licensing SAVI aims to support the licensing trade and is backed by the National Police Chiefs’ Council and Project Servator, a police-led vigilance scheme to deter terrorist attacks at crowded-places.

The picture show: Ch. Insp. Adam Wignall, Greater Manchester Police; Ian Shuttleworth, Licensing SAVI; and The Bridgewater Hall staff: Armelle Rainjonneau, Operations Manager; Andrew Bolt, CEO; Gemma Brooks, Food & Beverage Manager; Martin Lynch MSc CT MSyl, Security Manager on stage at the venue