Last orders for the traditional pint glass as designers answer thirst for safer drinking

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Title – Last orders for the traditional pint glass as designers answer thirst for safer drinking
Source – The Times
Date – 24th August 2009

We need to be a little careful not to get hysterical, the traditional beer glass is not going to disappear over night, it has been around too long for that.

However we also need to embrace change and not hang on to the past for nostalgic reasons. In an age when we can visit other planets and do more with a mobile phone than my imagination could ever muster; we can surely solve the undoubted problems of the pint glass.

It is sad that we have to design out the issue of the pint glass being used as a weapon rather than ‘design out’ those who would use it as such, but in some establishments this looks like it will be the only way.

But this initiative seems to accept that the final product needs to be functional and most importantly acceptable to the customer. We have long said that the policy of forcing premises to use plastic or polycarbonates is the easy option and is not always fit for purpose.

It may mean that there are no glasses which people can use as weapons, but there are always other weapons around which can be used by people intent on causing harm (I admit they may not cause as much harm) but they set the tone for a premises; a tone which is a ‘contributory factor’ and ‘trigger’ to disorder and violence.

You can’t get away from it, the more you distrust and patronise people the more they will behave accordingly. Finding an alternative glass which meets the needs of the trade and the demands of the customer should be welcomed. As an industry the

Licensed Retail Sector should get behind any new development and give their positive input to ensure the final product meets their needs and that of their customers; the alternatives currently on the market don’t and unless a solution is found local authorities are likely to increasingly add conditions involving mandatory use of these available alternatives.

Protecting customers and employees should be near the top of anyone working in the sector and this could be a step in the right direction if it meets the needs of all the stake holders; starting with the customer (without whose approval, it will ultimately be a waste). If we can make glass bulletproof to protect presidents, surely technology can be developed to protect our customers.

At Beyond The Blue we run a number of courses for those working in the Security Industry. These include; The National Certificate for Door Supervisors (NCDS) designed for those who require an SIA Door Supervisor Licence; In-House Security Induction (IHSI) which helps our clients train candidates in the specific systems of the premises in which they will be working and meet the SIA recommendation that all security operatives receive bespoke further training above their statutory requirements in the specifics of the premises in which they will operate; Physical Intervention (PI) for those who are required in their role to face and deal with violence in their workplace and may be required to restrain and / or escort aggressive customers; our Conflict Management and Resolution (CMR) course compliments these courses to help employees deal with Workplace Violence and alcohol related disorder.

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