Marble Arch London BID appoints Lodge Service to run its Street Team

Marble Arch London BID has appointed Lodge Service as a partner in its security and resilience portfolio.

Central to the new partnership is the Marble Arch Street Team, launched in August 2016, which works to deliver a safe and welcoming environment for all.

The Street Team has become a go-to resource for businesses in the area providing a visible and reassuring presence on the street, responding to reports of theft, robbery, anti-social behaviour, and shoplifting, as well as offering support to vulnerable people through welfare checks and referring rough sleepers to supporting agencies.

The Street Team look after the whole of the BID area which stretches from Park Lane in the south, along Edgware Road, to Paddington Green in the north, taking in Connaught Village to the west and Marylebone to the east. The team provides an essential service for pubs, hotels, shops, late night venues, restaurants, office occupiers, and schools across the BID area.

Taking over the running of the Street Team this month, Lodge is one of the UK’s longest-standing family-owned security companies. With teams based in every UK and Irish city, Lodge are retail specialists and have extensive experience in security, test purchasing, mystery shopping and technology innovation.

The BID provides bespoke training for members, an out-of-hours service, runs workshops and shares information on important security and resilience topics to keep businesses up to date, such as Protect Duty (Martyn’s Law) and the forthcoming legislation for Publicly Accessible Locations. The BID also shares real-time security bulletins throughout the year to provide prior warnings of protests, marches, and high-profile events, equipping businesses with the ability to minimise disruption to operations, customers, staff, and guests.

The Street Team’s tasking is based on police crime statistics, intelligence from businesses and key partners and stakeholders such as the Metropolitan Police, Westminster City Council and Safer Business Network. Last year, as part of their commitment to the safety of women at night, the BID extended the hours of the Street Team to support late-night premises and their customers.

Working in partnership with Lodge, the BID is committed to investing in the training and development of the Street Team, better equipping them to take on new initiatives and support all in the BID area.

Kay Buxton, Chief Executive, Marble Arch London BID, commented: “Those who live, work, do business and visit Marble Arch understand the valuable service and support our Street Team provides. Whether it is guiding tourists around the BID area, tackling environmental issues, or dealing with crime and anti-social behaviour, our Street Team ensures the district is a welcoming place for all and helps to inspire confidence for businesses, their staff, customers, guests, and the wider community.

“We look forward to working with Lodge to ensure our Street Team is equipped to take on new initiatives and continue to offer much-needed support to all our stakeholders and partners across the BID area.”

Darren Conway, Group Managing Director, Lodge Service, said: “Lodge has always been at the forefront of community safety, pioneering the ‘Business District Support Officers’ in 1994, with today seeing us Spearheading the ‘Safer Business Action Days’ in partnership with Policing. To be awarded this prestigious contract with Marble Arch London BID, allows us to work together in delivering to the community the reassurance and safety they deserve, making Marble Arch BID area the destination of choice.”