Security Systems for Pubs and Clubs | Best Security, Types, Cost

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Getting the right security for pubs and clubs is crucial if you want to present yourself as a safe and trustworthy business to your patrons. Not to mention, pub security systems also ensure that you keep your assets safe from threats or damages!

In this guide, we will cover all of the best practices that business owners need to employ to get the most out of their security system and we will also highlight the top security systems that you can use for any pub or club.

Asset Security Goes a Long Way

Securing any customer-centric business comes with two benefits: the first benefit is that you get to boost your brand image and present yourself as a safe and secure establishment for every patron. This is an incredibly important and often overlooked aspect of employing the right security measures.

Historically, pubs and clubs have been places where people are usually, let’s just say, more “active”. It’s no secret that wherever booze is involved, you need to keep a sharp eye!

This is why many pubs and clubs have a dedicated security team or, in the context of the modern world, “smart security” – we’ll explain more about this in a bit, first, let’s take a look at some of the best practices business owners can employ when investing in a security system.

Keep Your Expectations in Mind

If you are looking to install a new security system (or to upgrade an old system), it is best that you start with your expectations. Think about all the things that you want from your ideal security system. In many cases, people usually go with the usual suspects such as CCTV cameras, Access Control Systems, and proper lighting systems. However, if you want to differentiate yourself and provide additional security measures for your patrons, then you can also go with other smart technologies.

For example, if you offer a pub membership, then you can go with special RFID cards that hold all the information about your customer. Important information like their age and contact details can be very useful in aiding legal compliance and for marketing purposes.

An automated system can also allow for a more controlled influx of customers, and you can also get a better idea about the total footfall of your business on any given day.

As useful as these systems may sound, they can be quite complex to install. This is why we recommend that you go with a professional security company like Calder Security, to both install and configure these integrated security systems.

If you expect to save electricity costs, then you can also go with motion-sensing lights on blind spots. These lights are perfect for areas that don’t need to be illuminated 24/7. In fact, proper lighting alone is an excellent way to deter crime!

Finally, if you expect to access your CCTV footage from anywhere in the world, then you will have to go with a cloud-enabled CCTV system. These cameras save security footage both locally and in the cloud. This way, all you will need is a mobile application and an active internet connection to view the footage for any day.

These are just a few examples of what you should expect from your security system. We highly recommend that you use this type of framework to come up with novel ways to add more value to your business and secure it at the same time!

Figure Out the Right Budget

While you may have a long wish list for security gear, you might not have the budget to fulfil all your requirements. Don’t worry though, there are many ways that you can bring down security costs without sacrificing security.

An easy way to do this would be to start with the bare minimum. Begin with the legal requirements, such as the fire alarm. Having a fire alarm system in a business isn’t just recommended, it is necessary! Many businesses fail to realise the importance of fire safety which often leads to disastrous results. Please bear in mind that when patrons enter your business, you are responsible for their safety. Failing to follow the right security protocols can result in penalties and you may even face disruption in your business operations.

If you don’t know where to start with your security system, then we highly recommend that you consult with a professional installer to get a better idea of the type of security system that you can get within your budget. Calder Security specialises in building the most optimal security package depending on your budget.

Please keep in mind that opting for AI-enabled or cloud-enabled systems can also come with their own recurring costs. For example, if you opt for cloud storage then you will likely have to get a Pay-As-You-Go subscription where you will be billed monthly or yearly according to your storage requirements. Some hardware companies may also upsell software features like AI-enabled surveillance which can add to the total bill.

A professional service provider will also be able to guide you through the process and work with you to figure out your needs and how you can fulfil your expectations in your given budget. This way you will be able to save time and completely outsource everything!

Secure your Patrons and Staff Using Optimised Security Systems

Keeping the staff secure is just as important as keeping the patrons happy! If you have prior experience in running a pub or club, then you will know exactly how quickly things can escalate in some situations. Furthermore, many staffers also look at how much a business invests in the security of the staff before joining a club or pub.

Take the example of Access Control Systems. These systems can not only help staffers navigate through different areas of the pub easily, but they can also restrict access for unauthorised personnel. The best part is that you can also use these systems as an attendance management system.

Staff members can be provided with RFID cards or, if you go with a more modern system, then you can also use biometric verification to allow access and monitor employee activity. These systems are fully automated which means that once installed, you will be able to remotely monitor who comes in and goes out of your pub.

Patrons can also be monitored via security cameras. For the best experience, we recommend that you cover all the blind spots in your pub to ensure maximum security. You can also use smart integrated security systems like motion-sensing lights, AI-enabled cameras, and keypad locks. These systems can work together to contain security issues and minimise the risk of theft.

How? Well, most AI-enabled cameras are able to detect faces and recognise when people or animals pass through an area. If someone is able to access a secluded area in your pub then the motion-sensing lights can illuminate, while the camera can begin tracking and recording the person. You can also set conditional rules where if an unauthorised person enters an area, the keypad system automatically locks the person in the area!

Maintain your Security System

Security systems don’t require a lot of maintenance. However, since modern security hardware is often paired with complex software, you are bound to run into some technical problems. This is why it is best that you follow a maintenance schedule provided by your security provider. Security maintenance is all about keeping the system running without missing a second of security footage.

A security team can periodically assess your system for flaws and highlight possible issues that you might face in the system in the near future. For example, if you have several cameras outside of your pub then there is a good chance that the wiring may be exposed to sunlight, or the wiring may depreciate due to rain or other environmental conditions.

A professional security service provider will be able to detect such issues and provide you with all the possible fixes. The security company may even conduct a security audit and highlight the possible flaws in your current system.

In the same way, if there is a better or more efficient system, then the company may also suggest an upgrade! While not all upgrades are worth it, modern technology systems, especially AI-enabled ones are constantly improved, and upgrading your software or hardware can usually be very beneficial in the long run!

Best Security Systems for Pubs and Clubs

Wired Vs. Wireless CCTV Systems

CCTV systems are usually wired because a wired system offers the best video and audio latency and are often more secure than wireless systems because they don’t depend on or connect to the internet. However, this doesn’t mean that wireless systems are any less capable! Wireless systems are gaining a lot of traction nowadays thanks to improved cybersecurity measures and the added convenience that these systems provide.

An excellent way to get the best of both worlds is to go with a hybrid system where you use a wired CCTV system along with a cloud-enabled DVR that sends live and previously recorded security footage on a secure online server.

These systems can be expensive but if you are someone who is always on the go then you might want to invest in a hybrid system because it will allow you to keep an eye on your business from anywhere in the world.

Hiring a Security Team

Hiring bouncers or a dedicated security team can be extremely beneficial in some cases. If you own a pub that routinely sees hundreds of patrons every day, then it is best that you also hire security guards to keep up with the security demands of your business. However, it is important that you employ human security along with hardware security!

Hardware security simply offers a lot of benefits and can be useful in providing comprehensive security in your pub or club.

Safes and Locks

Getting a safe is an excellent way to keep your business money safe. Since there is a lot of monetary exchange in pubs and clubs, it would be a good idea to keep fiat money safe in a high-quality and foolproof safe. The good news is that many top-class security companies, like Calder Security, provide an all-in-one solution for your security needs. This way you don’t have to go to different companies to get various hardware.

Calder provides one of the most high-rated safes in the business. This means that you can have peace of mind when storing your daily earnings in the vault! If you already own a safe but forgot the password or if the locking mechanism is malfunctioning, then Calder Security can also help you open or repair your safe – the best part is that Calder technicians know the ins and outs of any safe due to their experience and because they are also a certified member of the Master Locksmith Association (MLA).

Access Control System for Patrons and Employees

If you own a large pub or club, then you may also have a dedicated space for VIP customers. This is where Access Control Systems come in handy! Access Control Systems are a fantastic way to control the “flow” of people in your pub.

You can use this type of system for both staff members and patrons. For example, staffers can use an RFID Access Control System to log their attendance and gain access to certain areas. Similarly, you don’t need to have a dedicated person in front of the VIP area either! A simple card swipe or thumb verification is all your VIP customers need to access special areas in your club.

Lighting System

Proper lighting can not only set the mood, but it can also be immensely useful in deterring crime. If you are on a tight budget, then we highly recommend that you begin with proper lighting. The thing is proper lighting doesn’t necessarily result in higher electricity costs!

As mentioned above, you can install sensor-based lights that only activate when there is movement in an area. You can also go with smart lights that can be controlled from an app. These lights can be scheduled to run automatically, which can significantly help in cutting down electricity costs.

Training the Staff and Monitoring Services

One of the best ways to further strengthen the security of your club or pub is to train your staff to recognise security threats before they become a real problem. A vigilant staff can help identify threats and are usually the best way to minimise the risk of theft and even damage.

You can also go with a dedicated monitoring team to make things even easier for you. If you require constant monitoring of your premises, then we highly recommend that you go with a security company, like Calder Security, to outsource this type of task.

Security companies monitor security threats and act professionally if there is a risk of a threat or an ongoing theft in your business. These types of services can be invaluable for pub or club owners who see a large influx of customers daily.

CONTACT CALDER SECURITY

At Calder Security, we provide a comprehensive range of security solutions that include not just professional installation but also monitoring, maintenance, and repair services.

We are members of the Master Locksmith Association (MLA), approved members of the Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB), and also conform to all the relevant British and EU Standards.

We follow all the best practices in the industry and install only high-quality, state-of-the-art security systems.

We offer various levels of monitoring via a 24-hour monitoring centre using Dualcom and BT Redcare signalling, which is the most secure alarm monitoring system and the largest supplier of intelligent alarm signalling services in the UK.

We understand the importance of having to regularly maintain security systems since the inability to do so might result in serious faults and consequent vulnerabilities in your property’s security.

We provide professional maintenance checks and reminders for when the checks are due to help you stay compliant with the law and work fast to restore your security systems to excellent condition.

We offer a 24-hour call-out service for customers and can also repair systems not installed by us. Our engineers are highly skilled and can restore faulty systems to full working order in one visit.

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