Terry Collins, Andrew Nicholson (manager: The Library), David Warrand (assistant manage: The Library) and Carol Freenan
Dozens of pub and bar owners, managers and door staff attended a bespoke training course yesterday (9th March), organised by the City Safety Group, with the primary aim of ensuring a consistent approach to serving alcohol safely and protecting people who may be at risk.
The workshop, designed specifically at the group’s request, looked at a range of topics including pre-loading, when to refuse to serve alcohol and the ’20 minute delay’ – the time it takes alcohol to enter the body’s system.
More than 60 delegates, representing 20 licensed premises, registered to attend.
The Chair of the City Safety Group, Terry Collins, said: “This workshop is particularly important because it’s about making sure that the city’s licensed trade offers a consistent approach to helping to keep people safe.
“Following a further incident over the weekend [when 2 students had to be rescued from the River Wear by staff at The Boat Club], I would however like to remind people out in the city that they should take personal responsibility for behaving in a safe and sensible way whether they have been drinking heavily or not. The City Safety Group can only do so much – personal accountability will remain a key part in this campaign.
“Durham is a safe city; we want to keep it that way.”
The course was organised by Durham County Council’s City Centre Manager, Carol Feenan: “The session aims to ensure that all licensed premises have a robust system in place to recognise and deal with lone people who are intoxicated. The main aim is ultimately the individuals; safety more than simply the legal obligation to refuse service.”
Peter Fulton, the operations director of ABV training was commissioned to design the workshop, which was aimed specifically at owners, managers and door staff working at licensed premises in Durham City Centre.
The training course is the latest initiative from the City Safety Group, which comprises of Durham County Council, Durham Constabulary, Durham University, Durham Students’ Union and Durham Cathedral.