Member Article

Sodexo, raising the bar at St James’ Park

ONE of the UK’s most famous football grounds has scored a Gold award for its commitment to public safety.

Newcastle United’s St James’ Park received the Raising the Bar award thanks to a range of measures and policies designed to ensure late night visitors to the stadium enjoy the highest standards of comfort and safety.

Raising the Bar is a best practice scheme run by Newcastle City Council to encourage late night venues to go over their licensed conditioning requirements in championing safety policies and procedures.

Among the initiatives which led the stadium to achieve the Gold award were staff training schemes in conflict management, fire safety and drug awareness along with highly trained security staff and membership of schemes such as Pubwatch.

Staff at the stadium’s catering and events partner, Sodexo Prestige Venues & Events, are also fully committed to public safety, trained in caring for visitors who are unwell or injured and ensuring everyone leaving the stadium can get home safely.

Sodexo PV&E’s commitment to the prevention of public nuisance was also recognised by the award, along with its policy in preventing underage sales of alcohol and its success in keeping the areas outside the stadium clean and litter free – even after large scale events.

In return for its commitment to public safety, the stadium will receive 30 per cent discount on its Late Night Levy – an annual charge made on licensed premises which supply alcohol between midnight and 6am, to cover the costs of council and police services during that time.

It will also be given an accreditation certifying the venue for its upkeep of public order, noise reduction, safety and public health.

“We are conscious at all times of the responsibility we have to our customers, our staff and to the wider population of Newcastle,” said Frankie Angus, general manager for Sodexo Prestige Venues & Events at St James’ Park.

“St James’ Park is very much a family venue and we are delighted to received this recognition of all our hard work and our commitment to public safety.”

A range of popular city venues were granted the accreditation, with 43 venues achieving gold, 69 venues achieving silver and 11 achieving bronze.

For information about Sodexo Prestige Venues & Events at St James’ Park stadium, call 0191 201 8525 or e-mail candb@nufc.co.uk

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