How the pandemic has changed high street security

The Covid-19 pandemic has forced many high street businesses to change how they think about security. It’s no secret that high street retail is not as profitable as it once was; a lot of this can be attributed to the rise of internet shopping, and this trend has only accelerated by the lockdowns that followed the initial outbreak of the Covid-19 virus.

As more and more trade is moved online, high street retailers are having to explore other avenues in order to make money. A popular move being made by many businesses is a shift in focus towards providing leisurely experiences which customers can’t get online. As a result of this change in emphasis, businesses are having to rethink the ways in which they approach urban security.

On top of this, the extensive roll out of pedestrianisation zones across the UK since 2020 has been a great success, achieving its goal of creating multifunctional spaces within communities where hospitality can thrive, and outdoor events can be held. This new high street landscape needs proper protection though, and that’s where we can help here at Bollard Security. We provide a wide range of telescopic bollards that can be implemented in both residential, and commercial areas, providing you with fantastic protection from any potential dangers.

So, let’s get into some of the reasons behind this change in high street security structure.

What needs addressing in regards to street security?

Essentially, high streets are now seeing more of the kinds of numbers that were occupying them pre-pandemic, thanks to the loosening of restrictions and the introduction of the new pedestrianisation zones. As a result of this, the risk of danger to pedestrians has increased due to the massive influx of people who are now getting out and enjoying the high street. These dangers can come in a range of forms, so it’s important that measures are taken to ensure the safety of the general public. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways in which you can improve the security around your business, such as an effective set of security bollards.

How to create a safe environment for pedestrians

Following substantial periods of large-scale change (such as those brought on by a pandemic), different elements of public life often need to be reviewed and re-evaluated, including security. A few of the factors that need to be taken into account when considering additional security measures include things like:

• Access requirements – take the time to consider who’s actually using the public realm. As well as pedestrians, you’ve also got things like delivery vehicles dropping off goods to their respective businesses, cyclists, and those suffering form physical disabilities. Not to mention you need to account for the increase in public presence during certain periods like Christmas and school holidays. When you put all these things together, you can paint a pretty good picture of the type of security measures which need to be implemented.
• Proportionate security – the measures being implemented need to be proportionate to the threat that you’re facing. Preparing for armageddon is likely to be expensive and impractical, so it’s important to assess risk. Here in the UK, you need to ensure that you’re implementing measures to protect crowds of people and busy streets against the risk of vehicle ramming and VBIED (vehicle-borne improvised explosive device) attacks.
• Aesthetic – obviously this won’t be at the top of your list of priorities, but it’s an important factor all the same. If you’ve invested a lot in establishing a certain look for your business, ideally you won’t want any element to undercut the design as a whole – even the security features! That’s why, in addition to our range of vibrant neon finishes, we also supply telescopic bollards with a sleek, discreet outer coating, allowing you to take your pick of finishes to match your company colours, creating a consistent impression of your company for staff, visitors and customers alike.

The high street is changing, and it’s vital that you prepare your business for this. Here at Bollard Security, we possess a huge stock of all types of bollards and parking posts to suit any need. Check out our products online to find out which ones could be the best fits for your business. And if you ever need any guidance or you’ve got questions that need answering, you can call up one of our in-house experts on 01535 509001 – we’re always happy to see how we can help!