Now in its eleventh year, the Frankfurt Christmas Market is a centrepiece in Birmingham city centre’s year and runs between November 15 and December 22. The market is attended by a wide audience demographic ranging from families with young children to overseas visitors. A contract awarded by Birmingham City Council to provide security and crowd management at this year’s market went to Showsec. The contractor adds that as one of Birmingham City Council’s preferred security suppliers, it’s provided crowd management at public and cultural events throughout 2012 including Birmingham’s Live Sites, Artsfest, Jamaica in the Square, and the 2011 Christmas Parade. Showsec’s SIA-badged security staff will monitor the site 24 hours, managing traffic flow and crowds across the city centre from Victoria Square to New Street, Centenary Square and Chamberlain Square.
Showsec’s West Midlands area manager Ieuan Fury says:
“We’ve been part of this project since the load-in at the beginning of November, meaning two months of intense staffing on site 24 hours a day, right up until Christmas. Managing the public footfall has been a key part of our operational approach to this event, given the market’s expanse throughout different areas of the city centre.
“The volume of visitors can reach in excess of 100,000 at the weekends, so internal planning procedures, vigilance and on-site communications, as well as engagement with local agencies has been vital. We’ve worked with Birmingham City Council since 2011 on various public events in the city centre, so our knowledge and understanding of the client’s requirements and local area is strong. This enables us to prepare for every eventuality, whilst delivering an up-beat customer service befitting the overall festive atmosphere of the market.”
