BAR staff, managers and bouncers are to be offered training on topics including child sexual exploitation, counter terrorism, physical intervention, hate crime and drug and alcohol abuse next week.
It is the first time Barnsley has held a Night Time Economy Workshop, and is part of the council’s ambition to make Barnsley a safe and enjoyable place to have a night out.
Staff from the town centre’s pubs and clubs - dubbed Barnsley’s ‘eyes and ears’ by the council - have been invited to the dedicated workshop, which aims to add to their existing skills and help keep them up to date with current public safety issues.
The free session on Monday is being held in collaboration with the Security Industry Authority (SIA) - the industry regulator which licenses suitably-qualified door supervisors.
Aimed at bar staff, managers and door supervisors, it will include topics on child sexual exploitation safeguarding, counter terrorism, physical intervention, hate crime, drug and alcohol abuse, and the Ask for Angela scheme, which is designed to help people who need some help getting out of a difficult situation, such as an online date going wrong.
Coun Jim Andrews, the council’s spokesman for public health, said: “Bar staff, managers and in particular, door supervisors, play a crucial role in Barnsley’s night-time economy.
“They are the town’s eyes and ears and we would like them to be fully briefed on the latest developments within the range of topics covered, to benefit individual businesses and the town as a whole. We are all responsible and have our part to play.”
Nigel Davies, the SIA’s regional investigation manager for the east of England said: “Violence reduction as well as raising awareness of issues such as child sexual exploitation are key priorities for the SIA.
“Presentations from industry speakers provide opportunities for key local partners in the night time economy to work together and ensure public safety. I encourage the industry to take up the learning and networking opportunities that the event will offer.”
The workshop runs alongside work already being carried out with the hope of Barnsley achieving Purple Flag status. Launched in 2012, the Purple Flag standard is similar to the Green Flag award for parks and the Blue Flag award for beaches.
Coun Roy Miller said: “When people come to Barnsley for a night out, we want them to feel safe, well looked after and to have a fantastic time.
“Purple Flag provides us with a framework to develop exceptional standards for our town centre, which is already benefiting from the launch of Best Bar None and Ask for Angela campaigns.
“We are working hard to make Barnsley a more current, diverse and public-friendly space for residents to enjoy. The Glass Works scheme and the public realm improvements play a major factor in reaching our goals.
“The new public square for example will create a large, bright and open area, surrounded by family restaurants and a major cinema.
“It also encourages people on the periphery of Barnsley and South Yorkshire to head to our great market town once more for a nice evening out. This will in turn have the added bonus of providing a major boost for the local economy and encourage more inward investment in the future.”
Work on the new public spaces in town began last month and is expected to be completed in 2020 when the retail and leisure phase of The Glass Works opens.
It is hoped by that point Barnsley can secure its Purple Flag status, providing a ‘stamp of approval’ for the work to improve the town centre.
n The Night Time Economy Workshop takes place on Monday from 12.30 to 4.30pm at Barnsley Town Hall. Invitations have been sent out to pubs and clubs, but anyone who works in the night time economy is welcome to attend - contact SohaibAkhtar@barnsley.gov.uk to book a place.
