AP SECURITY’S SEAMLESS SERVICE MEANS A UNITED FRONT AT COLCHESTER’S NEW STADIUM
When Colchester United Football Club moved into a brand new stadium at the beginning of the 2008-09 season, the opportunity was taken to bring a fresh start to many aspects of the operation. Key amongst these was ensuring that the club’s safety and stewarding is in the best possible hands, a challenge which comes entirely naturally to AP Security.
Located on the northern edge of the town, conveniently next to the A12 trunk road, as well as being the home of Colchester United the 10,000-capacity Weston Homes Community Stadium is designed to host a wide range of entertainment and community events. So AP’s experience of satisfying a variety of stewarding and safety requirements was a key factor in the company winning the contract.
Keith Turner, the stadium manager, had already seen this, having worked with AP at West Ham United FC and Essex County Cricket Club.
“I have been impressed in all my dealings with AP, so when the opportunity arose here for new stewarding and safety staff they were the first company I spoke to,” says Keith. “Their service is second to none and all their staff act with total professionalism.”
The contract amounts to around 90 stewarding staff at home matches, with a variable number deployed, as required, at other events.
“One of AP’s great strengths is that they are good listeners,” says Keith. “They appreciate that, whether it’s for football or other events, we know our audience. So they provide exactly the numbers of staff we ask for, who are all trained to the level we need and their staff do exactly what we ask them to do.”
He continues, “For example, Colchester United has a very strong family fan-base and we are very proud of our record in encouraging families to come to matches. We have a lot of youngsters and elderly people attending games and what they need is security staff with smiling faces who are considerate and above all ‘human’, but who are also able to effectively manage a wide variety of potentially more difficult situations, should they arise.
“They really need to be able to cover all bases, especially with the sheer range of events we host. In my experience, AP offers a highly accomplished service and the company works absolutely seamlessly with us, which is precisely what we need.”
More information about Colchester United FC can be found at www.cu-fc.premiumtv.co.uk
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