What do our door supervisors do?
- Manage the door and queue, checking ID to make sure underage guests are refused, in line with Challenge 21 or Challenge 25 policies.
- Apply your admissions policy and dress code fairly and consistently.
- Search guests where your licence or policy requires it, and watch for weapons and drugs.
- Monitor capacity so the venue stays within its safe limit.
- Defuse arguments early, using conflict management rather than force, and remove people safely when required.
- Look after vulnerable customers, including anyone who is intoxicated or separated from friends, and support Ask for Angela schemes where they run.
- Keep an incident log and work with the police, licensing officers and the venue manager.
Venues we cover
We provide door staff for pubs, nightclubs, cocktail bars, late-night restaurants, hotels and private members' clubs, as well as one-off nights, sports screenings and private hire. For larger gatherings we combine door supervisors with stewards under our event security service.
Door supervisor or security guard?
| Role | Licence needed | Typical setting |
|---|---|---|
| Door supervisor | SIA Door Supervisor licence | Licensed premises, pubs, clubs, bars, many events |
| Security guard | SIA Security Guard licence (or Door Supervisor) | Offices, retail, sites, unlicensed premises |
| Event steward | Depends on duties | Non-licensable steward roles at events, alongside licensed staff |
A Door Supervisor licence also allows the holder to work as a security guard, which makes door staff a flexible choice for venues that also need daytime cover. See our security guarding service.
Preparing for Martyn's Law
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, known as Martyn's Law, received Royal Assent in April 2025 and introduces new duties for qualifying public venues and events, with an implementation period before it is enforced. Trained door teams play a direct part in those procedures, such as evacuation, invacuation and lockdown. Ask us how our door supervisors can support your plans.
Prefer to talk it through? A security manager answers 24 hours a day.
Book your security callWhat affects the cost of door supervision?
| Factor | Why it matters | What to ask us |
|---|---|---|
| Nights and hours | Late finishes and peak nights need planning | Do you have staff for every night we trade? |
| Number of door staff | Set by capacity, risk and licence conditions | How many supervisors does our licence require? |
| Searching and ID scanning | Adds time and duties at the door | Can your team run our ID scanning system? |
| Special events | Bank holidays, sports and new year are higher risk | Can you add staff for big nights at short notice? |
Door Supervision FAQs
Do door supervisors need an SIA licence?
Yes. In England and Wales, door supervision at licensed premises is a licensable activity, so every door supervisor must hold an SIA Door Supervisor licence and display it while working.
Can you supply female door supervisors?
Yes. We can include female door supervisors, which many venues need for searching and for welfare situations involving female customers.
Can you cover a single night?
Yes. We cover regular weekly rotas and one-off nights such as private hire, sports events and new year.
Do your door staff wear body cameras?
Where the venue or licence requires body-worn cameras, we can provide officers trained to use them. Tell us your requirements when you book.
