Pubs are one of the most popular places to go in the UK. They provide an opportunity for friends to get together and share a nice drink or food. With this in mind, it comes as no surprise that there are over 46,000 pubs in the UK.
The pandemic hit many businesses hard, with pubs being among the most impacted. With restrictions on which businesses could open, pubs were unable to trade. This significantly affected their revenue. It is estimated that pubs won’t make a full recovery until 2024, so you’ll want to protect your business from further setbacks.
There are many dangers that a pub may face. Read on to find out more and how to protect your pub should an emergency occur.
The main risks for your pub
Issues that could lead to emergencies are bound to be a cause for concern for any pub owner. These include:
- Fires
- Personal injury
- Gas leaks
Should such issues crop up, you must be prepared to deal with them. If you are not, this could result in severe health violations or, in extreme cases, death.
How to prepare for an emergency
There are a few steps you can take to ensure your pub is protected in the event of an emergency.
- Chain of command – Ensure you assign responsibilities to each staff member. This will guarantee everyone knows their role in an emergency.
- Up-to-date safety procedures – This may include evacuation plans. It should be stated where the emergency exits are and who is a priority to get out of the premises. This will most likely be your customers and staff.
- Regular checking of equipment – Check your fire alarms frequently so you know they are working. Alarms will signal to everyone in the building that they should evacuate. This will allow more people to get to safety quicker.
- Clear signage of exits and first aid locations – Place signs around the pub to show where the designated emergency exits and first aid equipment such as defibrillators are located.
- Insurance – Sometimes emergency plans only protect you so much. Take out insurance for your pub to protect you from damages and claims.
While emergencies are often unpredictable, when your staff are well trained and you have a clear plan in place, the risk is reduced. Take time to create an emergency plan and keep your pub, staff and customers safe at all times. When you do this, people will feel more confident stepping foot in your pub.
