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PRESS
Securing The Square – not just a guarding job
22/6/2005
Tunsgate Square, halfway up the cobbled High Street opposite the famous Guildhall clock, offers 26 of the finest and most individual designer shops for ladies' and men's fashions, personal and household accessories and relaxing cafés, in a sophisticated and all-weather environment. It is situated in the centre of Guildford, one of the finest town centres in the South East. The Centre is laid out with a central area, known as The Square, leading to the High Street via The Mall and up some steps on to Tunsgate.
The Centre is open seven days a week and offers late night shopping in the lead-up to Christmas. It is owned by Merseyside Pension Fund and managed by CB Richard Ellis, the global leader in commercial real estate. The Centre not only consists of 26 shops but has five office suites and 10 flats above.
In January 2004, the Centre Management re-assessed the requirement for security and ADP Security Systems Ltd was selected from a shortlist of three following a competitive tender process. The company had to meet a set of strict criteria to become an approved supplier to CB Richard Ellis. These included health & safety requirements, and a commitment to quality training.
Nicola Mendelssohn, who shares the Centre Manager role with colleague Bill Dummer, said: “We chose ADP because not only did they meet our required criteria but they appeared to take a genuine interest in our business and our specific requirements. We also received good references from other companies who already used their services.”
ADP provides a physical security presence, and undertakes a variety of extra duties and cover for the shopping centre management, plus 24-hour key holding. As Keirn Bush, Operations Manager for ADP Security Systems explains – “We’ve given our guards the title of ‘Security Manager’ because the job is more than just being a guard – it is a mixture of guarding and centre management responsibilities. If things went wrong, they would have to take responsibility.”
Nicola Mendelssohn adds: “ADP assists in providing a safe environment and is required to provide a smart, helpful, courteous and professional image to both members of the public and the tenants, together with all the additional tasks carried out.”
ADP’s security officers undergo in-house training as well as external SITO training. In the case of Tunsgate Square Shopping Centre, Bill Dummer, Centre Manager, also trained them on the particular procedures needed at the site over a two day period.
Keirn Bush says that, over the period of eighteen months since the contract began, if anything has changed it has been the amount of trust that has developed between the client and ADP.
The security team opens up the main Centre shutters in the mornings, checks all fire exits are free of obstruction and that the fire alarm is working normally, and replaces the tapes for the CCTV system. The rest of the day is spent doing security patrols of the site including the office, flats, rear corridors and external boundaries, plus other special duties. These include a raft of useful tasks - everything from sorting post, checking for rubbish, putting out wet floor signs and so on, to monitoring the loading bay and dealing with unauthorised parking. Most importantly, of course, the Security Manager continually patrols the Centre to detect and prevent fire, accidents, abusive behaviour or criminal offences.
Due to the level of trust placed in the company, CB Richard Ellis’ Centre Manager Nicola Mendelssohn recently requested 24/7 cover for her colleague when Bill was away for an extended period. On top of this, a more challenging set of responsibilities was drawn up which ADP dealt with admirably. Now, the Security Manager handles these tasks too, when on duty. Little things make a big difference to the running of the Centre – from checking bins to fire escapes and cooperating with other suppliers. ADP liaises with the cleaners, maintenance contractors, the tenants and other visitors, organising keys, access, cones, etc as required.
Keirn Bush sums up the contract: “This is the most prestigious shopping centre in Guildford. It is vital that should an incident occur we deal with it effectively and efficiently. When the Centre Managers are not on site our Security Manager, together with the support from the ADP control centre, deals with any situation that may arise.”
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For all press enquiries, comment or photographs, please contact: Keren Burney
Public Relations Representative
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