Expert Insight
PROTECT YOUR VENUE FROM TERROR THREATS
‘Al fresco’ drinking and dining is on the rise. Thanks to government extensions to licensing and planning laws, businesses within the hospitality industry are more easily able to use areas outside their premises to serve food and drink.
It’s easier to obtain pavement licences now, and many venues are able to use car parks and terrace spaces as part of their existing seating licenses. Certain events and outdoor activities such as fairs and outdoor markets no longer require a planning application, so it’s likely this type of event will rise as it’s far easier for people to organise them.
All this is great news for the industry and our economy. However, this means that ‘low tech’ attacks from terrorists could rise.
EATING AND DRINKING OUTSIDE COULD INCREASE RISK Lone-wolf attackers using low tech methods such as weaponised motor vehicles are the biggest risk to outdoor diners.
Using a motor vehicle as a weapon is easy to plan, organise and carry out. Unfortunately, that means it’s more likely that these types of attack will be more commonplace. Particularly given that large groups of people will be congregating outdoors more often in the future.
WHAT CAN BUSINESSES DO? It’s always a business’s main goal to look after their customers and keep them safe. Restaurants and bars with an outdoor area must modify and upgrade their security procedures to minimise the chance of a terror attack.
There are some key ways businesses can help to keep customers safe from an outdoor terror attack:
• Try to keep tables and chairs away from roads used by traffic;
• Position tables and chairs so customers are able to see up and down the thoroughfare;
26 September 2020
www.venue-insight.com
• Re-evaluate your queuing system — make sure customers aren’t standing for long periods of time against the building, and ensure there are still potential routes of escape;
• Keep queues away from potential vehicle attack routes.
Businesses should also download the ACT app to receive authoritative advice and ongoing updates should an attack happen in the local area. It also provides advice and guidance to help you protect your business and educate your team on how to respond in the event of a terror attack. Businesses can report an incident through the app and receive post-incident guidance too.
WHAT IS HOSTILE VEHICLE MITIGATION? Hostile Vehicle Mitigation aims to stop vehicle-based attacks. They protect spaces where your customers are likely to be. This includes queues and seating areas.
For example, use bollards and security barriers or creative street furniture to ‘section off’ your outdoor seating area. The more barriers between a vehicle and those dining or drinking outside, the less likely it is that someone will target your establishment.
CONSIDER ADDITIONAL INSURANCE Terror attacks are unlikely. But, if your business is the victim of an attack, the consequences could be catastrophic. Terrorism insurance will protect your business financially if a terror attack impacts you. Whilst, of course, the safety of your team and your customers should always be top of your priority list – your business’s longevity should be considered. If you had to use your own financial reserves to recover from an attack, how long could your business survive? Having comprehensive insurance cover in place will help to provide invaluable peace of mind.
For more guidance on protecting your venue against the worst, and mitigating the risk, talk to NDML on 0344 488 9205.
ndml.co.uk
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