Wigan based St. Peter’s Pavilion recently identified the need to upgrade its security. In order to keep cash and documents secure, the community centre successfully applied for a Secure Communities Scheme award, enabling them to install a new Burg-Wächter safe that was provided for free under the scheme.
St Peter’s Pavilion in Wigan is an active community hub, providing a home for rugby and cricket players, girl guides and the boys brigade alongside hosting a number of charity and welfare organisations. In normal times thousands of visitors use the Pavilion every week either as a base for their hobbies or an essential meeting place for socialising and community events. In lockdown, most of this activity has ceased, but the centre is being used for Covid vaccinations. The break in normal activities presented the Pavilion’s management with the opportunity to consider how to increase security around the building when lockdown lifted. The issue of handling cash and keeping confidential papers secure was highlighted, so an application was made to the Secure Communities Scheme for a Burg-Wächter safe. This simple but effective solution is perfect for the Pavilion offering an easy way to manage cash safely, especially at a time when local bank branches are closing. All the Pavilion’s many users are looking forward to the time when it is fully open for business again and the organisers are delighted that the donated safe will be at the heart of the building’s security.
Speaking At. Peter’s Pavilion, Paul Barnett commented, “St Peters Pavilion are eternally grateful for the fantastic Burg-Wächter Secure Communities Scheme. The pavilion has been closed due to government guidelines and is currently being used by the NHS as a covid vaccination centre. This has obviously heightened our security risk and the fantastic new safe provided by the scheme has helped to ensure our piece of mind that our facility is secure, not only at present, but will benefit us for years to come when functions return.”
Mark Pearson from Burg-Wächter, the company behind the Secure Communities Scheme commented: “Burg-Wächter is known for its comprehensive choice of locking products as well as an extensive range of safes and post-boxes. We saw a rise in demand for such products during the Covid-19 lockdowns. We knew that communities would struggle to meet the unexpected cost of providing extra security during the restrictions, so we adapted our existing Secure Communities Scheme to reflect this need. Since the first lockdown commenced last year, we have provided over 70 security kits worth an average of £150 each to communities across the UK, with many more applications currently being processed. We hope the scheme’s support for St. Peter’s Pavilion will help them to continue being a central hub for the community without the added stress of security issues such as cash handling.”
The Secure Communities Scheme is now seeking more applications from community projects that are still affected by the pandemic restrictions. Any local initiative that is run by or supports the local community can apply. Successful applicants receive a tailored security kit to help secure property, premises, equipment or storage areas to the value of £150. Successful applications are selected dependent on their engagement with local communities, the impact of the lockdown on security requirements and the benefits that increased security can provide. Application forms for the Secure Communities Scheme can be found here: https://uk.burg.biz/community/. More information on St. Peter’s Pavilion can be found here: https://www.stpeterspavilion.org.uk/