Anyone working as a door supervisor at licensed premises in the UK needs a licence from the Security Industry Authority, which requires approved training and identity and criminality checks; in-house staff and contractors are both covered. The best door teams spend far more time preventing trouble than dealing with it: reading queues, refusing politely and early, spotting vulnerability, and working with bar staff and CCTV operators. De-escalation, calm language, clear and consistent refusal policies, body-worn cameras and incident logs are the main tools, and venues often share information through local pubwatch schemes.
Bar staff need conflict training too, because they are usually the ones refusing service to someone who has had enough. Any use of force must be reasonable and proportionate in the circumstances, and door staff can face criminal and civil consequences if they go too far. Welfare is part of the job as well: an ejected guest who is vulnerable still needs a safe way home.
What we ask on the show
- What makes a great door supervisor, beyond size?
- How do you train bar staff to refuse service without a fight?
- How do door teams balance security with welfare?
- What role do pubwatch schemes play in your area?