The smoking ban which came into force on July 1 is providing a boost, it is claimed, for Newcastle upon Tyne based ‘fingerprint entry’ specialist UK Biometrics Ltd.
The Tyneside firm says nightclubs seek a secure way to allow customers out of their venue for a cigarette.
The city centre location of many nightclubs means installing an outdoor smoking area is not an option. Current ticket, swipe card or hand-stamp identification methods are open to abuse since they can be swapped outside the venue, putting owners at risk of allowing under age drinkers or known trouble makers entrance. With the UK Biometrics Membership System, developed on Tyneside, nightclub management know that the person re-entering the club after a cigarette break is the person who originally paid to enter.
UK Biometrics Managing Director Matthew James says: “Allowing exit and re-entry to a venue has always been a feature of our system, but we noticed a massive increase in interest when we attended BAR07 exhibition at Earls Court in early June this year. Since then we have been demonstrating the system to venue owners and managers throughout the UK. Our ability to allow people to leave for a smoke and re-enter is a welcome catalyst to sales.”
The first UK nightclub to install a biometric access system was Blu Bambu in Newcastle’s Bigg Market in April 2005 when it was haled by Newcastle City Commander, Chief Superintendent Chris Matchell as “an absolutely brilliant idea”. Since then the system has been installed in clubs and venues throughout the UK.
Customers bring quality ID (passport, driving licence) only once, register their fingerprint on the system, and thereafter staff know exactly who they are. No actual fingerprints are stored so concerns over human rights can be allayed. Instead the system recognises key points on the fingerprint and converts these into data which is then encrypted and stored.
About UK Biometrics Ltd
Based in Killingworth, this year the company has opened regional offices in Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Swansea and Bournemouth through UK Biometrics Franchise Ltd.
