| Pavilions leads the way for night safety accreditation |
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| Wednesday, 08 June 2011 08:14 |
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THE Pavilions has become the first Plymouth venue to receive this year's City Safe accreditation plaque. The entertainment complex already has a plaque proudly displayed in its foyer but City Safe's has to be renewed every year. The plaque recognises those venues that have passed a rigorous annual inspection process. The new plaques are emblazoned with the date 2011. City Safe chairman Mick McDonnell said about 40 bars have passed the accreditation this year but the Pavilions is the first to receive the plaque. The rest will receive theirs at an event which is still in the pipeline, likely to feature council leader Vivien Pengelly Mr McDonnell said the Pavilions had made "a massive effort". After initially being run by the police, responsibility for running the free-to-enter City Safe scheme was handed to a steering group, chaired by Mr McDonnell, two years ago. Independent inspector Cat MacDonald now assesses bars using a set of criteria approved by the police, fire service and city council. Kelly Harmer, head of front of house and events at the Pavilions, said the venue's prime concern was "the customer experience". "To know we have met standards which makes us a safe venue is brilliant for us," she said. "We strive to be a safe venue anyway but to have the accreditation does raise the bar. "The networking opportunity given by joining City Safe is also good. "And it's good to work with a scheme with a coordinated approach, and to share ideas." Mrs Harmer said another important aspect of the City Safe accreditation is "you have to take it really seriously". "You can't just join it," she said. "You have to work to get this accreditation, and you have to do it year on year. "You have to keep standards and even better them." |
