Coventry & Warwickshire in business
Business Engage Profiles
Security expert to advise on major law change A security specialist from Coventry is offering a free advice clinic to help organisations in the region ensure they are prepared for impending antiterrorism legislation in 2024.
Director Marcus Gerrard said: “The terrorist threat we face is diverse and continually evolving and Martyn’s Law will undoubtedly have a significant impact on how organisations counter that, as well as on public safety itself.
Safetyflex Barriers is running its advice clinic across January and February to provide organisations with a free 30-minute consultation on the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill.
“Following the King’s Speech, businesses are now looking at how to improve their practices, so we are delighted to be launching a free clinic across January and February to assist those in our region.
The Bill was one of 21 mentioned in the King's Speech in November, signalling the Government's intention to pass it into law this year.
“Our patented designs and innovations utilise special military-grade steel and we are the only company in the world which does this. That has helped us become world-leaders in hostile-vehicle mitigation, securing high-profile sites in more than 25 countries across six continents.
Named after Martyn Hett – who was one of 22 people killed by a terrorist attack as he left an Ariana Grande concert at the Manchester Arena in 2017 – it will place a statutory duty on qualifying premises and events to improve public safety and protect against the threat of terrorism. According to the Home Office, the legislation could affect some 650,000 businesses in the UK, ranging from hotels and restaurants to stadiums and council buildings. Family-run firm Safetyflex Barriers is the UK’s leading supplier of anti-terror bollards and barriers; securing stadiums, shopping centres and city-centre public realm projects with its patented anti-terror bollards and crash-rated street furniture. The company is holding its free Martyn’s Law Advice Clinic for any organisation across January and February to provide information on the legislation and expert advice on how to be compliant.
“We’ve supported large stadiums such as Twickenham, Wimbledon and the home of Saracens Rugby Club in boosting their defences, right through to leisure and tourist attractions such as the London Eye and Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market, so we’re well positioned to steer organisations through Martyn’s Law and any potential challenges.”
Gerrard added: “The impact of this Bill, in terms of the sectors it will apply to, is really varied.
The Bill is currently going through pre-legislative scrutiny, but a draft includes measures such as creating anti-terrorism plans, staff undertaking terrorism protection training, and installing hostile vehicle mitigation such as bollards and barriers.
Safetyflex’s award-winning products are crash-tested to IWA 14 industry standards
Qualifying public premises have been classed as those which are accessible to the public, hold 100 people or more, and are used for one of the qualifying activities such as retail, food and drink, or entertainment – as well as public events with a capacity of 800 or more.
“However, this is only a good thing. What happened at the Manchester Arena in 2017 was a tragedy and this new law is owed to victims like Martyn Hett and others.”
at the HORIBA MIRA centre of excellence in Nuneaton and conform to PAS68 certification – the standard set by the British Standard Institute, which is considered to be the benchmark for the security industry. To schedule a phone or in-person session at the clinic, businesses are asked to email info@safetyflexbarriers.com with the subject header ‘Martyn’s Law Advice Clinic’.
“Following the King’s Speech, businesses are now looking at how to improve their practices, so we are delighted to be launching a free clinic across January and February to assist those in our region."
Luxury hotel launches new sustainability initiative A luxury historic hotel in Warwickshire, which has undergone a £7 million refurbishment, has launched a new sustainability initiative which will prevent 47,000 plastic bottles from ending up in landfills every year. Billesley Manor Hotel and Spa, on the outskirts of Stratford-upon-Avon, is a country hideaway set in 11 acres of Warwickshire parkland.
The hotel has also created a kitchen garden, with chefs growing their own fruit, vegetables and herbs to use in dishes, and has established a ‘no mow zone’ to nurture wildlife.
The venue features 71 guest bedrooms and conferencing and events facilities which can cater for small meetings of just four people up to larger conferences, as well as events and weddings for up to 120 people.
New ‘Green Meetings’ are held to promote environmentally-friendly events, while a full review of the business is set to take place to highlight where energy and water consumption can be improved further.
The Stuart Restaurant uses the best local and regional produce to create mouth-watering dishes packed with seasonal flavours as well as traditional Sunday lunches and afternoon teas, while
The venue has undergone a five-year refurbishment which has seen the whole hotel, including its 71 bedrooms, conference and events facilities, restaurants, bars, public spaces, spa and health club, renovated to the highest standard.
Billesley Manor is now focusing on sustainability, and its partnership with Molton Brown will see single-use plastic bottles replaced with dispensers. It has introduced a comprehensive supplier screening process to ensure they also share the same sustainability values, has installed EV charging points and energy-efficient boilers and upgraded to LED lighting.
www.cw-chamber.co.uk
The spa provides a space to relax and unwind and offers a range of ESPA treatments, and the health club features a 12-metre pool, sauna, steam room and gym. General manager Stephen Fearnley said: “We’ve undergone a huge transformation in the last five years, all of which has been done in small stages so it hasn’t impacted our guest experience. “We’ve received some incredible feedback and we now have the highest guest satisfaction ratings the hotel has ever achieved on both online portals such as TripAdvisor, Google Reviews and Booking.com and our own internal guest survey.
Final work is now taking place to install air conditioning and upgrade its outdoor lighting which will highlight key features of the hotel and grounds to guests – including the 120-year-old topiary gardens. The Grade II listed venue is steeped in history, with its most notable guest being William Shakespeare in 1599 who wrote his comedy As You Like It during the visit, and the refurbishment has enhanced the building while remaining sympathetic to its original features.
The Great Hall Bar and Lounge serves a range of drinks and an all-day dining menu.
“We’ve received some incredible feedback and we now have the highest guest satisfaction ratings the hotel has ever achieved on both online portals such as TripAdvisor, Google Reviews and Booking.com and our own internal guest survey."
“At the core of the hotel is our people, and we strive to provide the best experience for both our guests and staff, and we are delighted to have welcomed a new Deputy General Manager, Paul Woodhouse, who will focus on making this even better going forward. “We’re also now focusing on sustainability, and we are keen to take an active role in helping to preserve the planet for future generations.” Further information about Billesley Manor Hotel and Spa is available by visiting www.billesleymanor.com
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