If you run a pub, bar or restaurant in Worthing, security is something you can't afford to get wrong. The wrong decision — whether that's no security at all, or unlicensed staff on the door — can put your premises licence at risk and leave you exposed to serious liability. Here's a clear guide to what you need.
Is Door Security a Legal Requirement for Pubs and Bars?
It depends on your premises licence conditions. In many cases, Adur and Worthing Council will specify as a licence condition that you must have SIA-licensed door supervisors on duty during certain hours — typically Friday and Saturday evenings. You should check your premises licence carefully.
Even where it's not a mandatory licence condition, you may still have an implied duty of care to take reasonable steps to protect customers and staff. Most responsible venue operators in Worthing choose to have door security regardless.
When Do You Typically Need Door Staff?
Most pubs and bars in Worthing would benefit from door supervisors on:
- Friday and Saturday nights from around 21:00–22:00 through to closing
- Any evening with a special event, live music or significantly increased capacity
- Bank holiday weekends
- Nights when there are large events elsewhere in town that may bring higher footfall
Quieter weekday evenings with normal trading rarely require door staff unless your venue has a history of incidents.
What Does a Door Supervisor Do at a Pub?
A good door supervisor at a Worthing venue does far more than stand at the entrance. Their role includes:
- Access control — checking ID, refusing entry to intoxicated individuals
- Capacity management — ensuring you don't breach your licence limit
- Monitoring the premises for signs of trouble before it escalates
- De-escalating confrontations quickly and professionally
- Managing ejections safely and lawfully
- Liaising with police if required
A note on fake ID and underage admission: Your door supervisors are your first line of defence. At Unity Secure, our officers are trained in ID verification and are aware of the most common fake ID types used locally.
How Many Door Staff Do I Need?
A rough guide for Worthing venues:
- Under 100 capacity — typically 1 door supervisor
- 100–200 capacity — typically 2 door supervisors
- 200–500 capacity — 3 or more depending on layout and risk
- Events and special nights — reassess based on expected attendance and risk
Our team will always discuss your specific venue layout and risk profile before recommending a staffing level — we don't apply a one-size-fits-all approach.
What Happens If I Use Unlicensed Door Staff?
Using unlicensed security on licensed premises is a criminal offence under the Private Security Industry Act 2001. It can result in prosecution of the business owner, revocation of your premises licence, and civil liability in the event of an incident. It's simply not worth the risk.
Get Door Security for Your Worthing Venue
SIA-licensed door supervisors available across Worthing and West Sussex. Get a quote within 2 hours.