Member Article

Uptake of Covid Safe training programme reflects sector’s desire to hit the ground running whilst safeguarding employees and customers

One of the UK’s leading purchasing groups, Regency Purchasing Group has seen a significant uptake of its Covid Safe training programme, as its members prepare for reopening across the UK.

Regency Purchasing Group, which services more than 3,000 businesses across the UK including hospitality and leisure venues, has trained all of its staff in how to get venues Covid Safe and is now sharing best practice to train its members, as they prepare to reopen on 4th July.

The comprehensive training programme covers a number of areas, including outlining the employers and employees responsibility in terms of Covid Safe compliance, advising where PPE is needed/recommended, assessing the varying risk levels in different sectors and providing instructions for the safe disposal of PPE. It also includes a Food Safety Assessment, which covers the measures that need to be considered when venues prepare food through to how it is served to customers.

Alex Demetriou, Managing Director of Regency Purchasing Group, said: “The way we serve food will need to change, with considerations such as socially distanced kitchens, wrapped cutlery and the removal of shared condiments. Our Covid Safe training programme has been created to support our members with navigating through these changes and understanding how they need to adapt their businesses to be able to restart trading. The latest consumer surveys show that customers will only re-visit venues where they felt safe and we want to help ensure our members fall into this category.”

Regency developed the training programme by using its own sites to train the team (whilst following social distancing), taking learnings from its supplier network and accessing sector experts for training via video conference. All of Regency’s Procurement Managers have also completed a formal certified course in Infection Prevention and Covid Control.

Alex continued: “The Regency team has completed over 120 assessments of its members to date, with many more sessions planned over the coming weeks. The consequences of Covid-19 and social distancing may change the way hospitality and leisure businesses operate for a very long time, if not indefinitely. Therefore it is imperative that they are able to reopen with the confidence that they can operate in a safe environment, for both their staff and customers. We hope the Covid Safe training will give our members that confidence to welcome back their customers with peace of mind, in the knowledge that they’re doing all they can to keep everyone as safe as possible.”

Roarr! Dinosaur Adventure is one Regency Purchasing group member who has benefitted from completing the Covid Safe training. Adam Goymour, Company Director & Park Manager, commented: “Regency and its local representative Louisa have been integral in helping us get back to reopening in a Covid safe and secure environment, by providing and even tailoring solutions for PPE and hand sanitiser stations. The level of service has been exceptional during this unprecedented time and I cannot thank Regency enough for helping to support us through this challenging time. Thank you, team Regency!”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Regency .