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No Shambles for Doherty with AP in Charge at The Forum
The Forum, in London’s Kentish Town, was the venue for Pete Doherty’s return to the stage after his 29-day stint in Wormwood Scrubs prison and with resident crowd management specialist AP Security’s expertise on hand, the evening went off without a hitch.
The Forum was added to AP’s ever growing list of prestigious venues last September after an emergency call from the club’s management, who needed to replace the incumbent security company.
“The Forum has undergone a recent facelift,” explains Chris Hollands, one of AP’s management team, who oversees a number of venues and events for the company. “We had been awarded the contract and were due to start once the re-fit was completed, but due to unforeseen circumstances, we were asked to step in much earlier than expected and at very short notice.”
“In fact, we got a call one Saturday afternoon and we were in by the following Tuesday,” says Sid Bradshaw, in joint charge of the venue for AP alongside Wayne Grove. “We did the risk assessment, changed a few barrier systems and pretty much within 24 hours we were ready to go.”
Given AP’s ability to react quickly to a challenge, the short notice given for Doherty’s performance on 13th June presented no problems for the team. “On a general basis, we have between 22 and 34 staff available for The Forum,” says Wayne. “For this particular gig, we used the full compliment, which included extra response teams and an extended pit team - from previous experience with this particular act, we expected the pit to be quite busy. We also positioned extra response teams top and bottom of the venue, because on gigs like this there tend to be more issues with things like smoking, throwing of drinks, etc.”
“We also have to cater for VIP guests who may or may not turn up,” adds Chris. “So we pre plan a good route to get them in and out. However, there are a lot of variables and we have to be prepared for things to change in an instant.”
“But that’s not a problem,” smiles Sid. “It keeps things interesting and keeps us on our toes.”
The Forum’s refit, which includes upgrading audio and lighting equipment as well as its staff, is designed to raise the profile of the venue so that it becomes an alternative to places such as Shepherd’s Bush Empire. And the combination is certainly pleasing bands, promoters and production managers alike.
But The Forum isn’t just a music venue. On a Saturday night it hosts a club night, which requires a totally different style from AP than that supplied on a gig night. “School Disco, which used to be at Hammersmith, is now hosted here,” says Wayne. “So we have a slightly different team in for that. And on Sunday it turns into The Church, which is quite famous for enticing the antipodeans in for a bit of a drinking session, which is different again. The venue chops and changes, so we have to be flexible.”
As well as the venue itself, AP oversees its two parking sites and is in control the street as far as down Kentish Town tube station, which was stipulated as part of the local council’s requirements to ensure that visitors don’t trespass onto, or cause any damage to, local resident’s property.
“We also assist the local fire brigade, who are just over the road, on a fairly regular basis. Because we’ve got bibs on, it’s easy for us to cordon off the road for them. And, of course, we also bring an element of visual stunningness to the area,” laughs Wayne.
Finally, what does The Forum’s General Manager, Paul Buxton, think of his new security company? “I **** love them!” he says…
30th June 2008
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