PSSA Newsletter - Issue 29

– 11 – ISSUE 29  | NEWS MEMBER NEWS Barriers keep shoppers safe at Selfridges’ London Christmas market Public safety is at the top of the list of priorities for Hardstaff Barriers. With its ‘For the Love of Lives’ tagline, ensuring the safety of people and property has always been of great importance, but, since the Covid-19 pandemic, this responsibility has become greater than ever. As the trusted contractor for UK Government’s National Barrier Asset (NBA) framework, the company has provided Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) barriers for a variety of high-profile events - from the State Opening of Parliament to visits from the President of the United States. At the height of the pandemic, in an effort to stem the spread of the virus, the majority of public events were cancelled in 2020. But, as England’s second lockdown came to an end, Selfridges’ flagship London Oxford Street department store was able to launch its Christmas Market on the Mews on December 3, featuring food, stalls and fairground rides. To protect visitors from vehicles and to ensure social distancing, Selfridges enlisted the help of Hardstaff Barriers to install concrete safety barriers along Edwards Mews, where the event is taking place until January 3, 2021. The company’s HVM experts fully assessed the requirements and recommended the installation of 46 Multibloc temporary vehicle restraint system (TVRS) barriers, and four additional curved barriers. Weighing 2.5 tonnes, Multibloc vertical concrete barriers are three metres long and are EN1317-2 approved. Niall Griffin, General Manager of Hardstaff Secure, at Hardstaff Barriers, said: “Even before Covid-19, our barrier systems were vital for events like this, by ensuring that visitors and stallholders are protected. “But since the pandemic, our responsibility for protecting people has grown considerably. Not only do our systems provide HVM protection, but they now ensure that people stay at a safe distance from one another and help them to comply with social distancing rules.” More recently, the demand for Hardstaff Barriers’ range of concrete and steel barriers by local authorities to increase space for social distancing has increased significantly. Pubs, food shops, and even schools, have also enlisted Hardstaff Barriers’ support to install robust barriers to create maximum opportunities for social distancing. The barriers provide physical protection and remind people of the need to comply with social distancing requirements. Recent projects include Lantern Lane Primary School, in East Leake, Nottinghamshire - Hardstaff installed steel barriers around the edge of the school, providing a two-metre gap between the classroom doors and parents dropping off and collecting their children Donna Griggs, Business Manager at Lantern Lane Primary School, said: “We wanted to install the barriers to keep everybody at the school as safe as possible. “The barriers also act as a reminder to socially distance and give the message that the school is serious about adhering to the rules.” To find out more about Hardstaff Barriers’ range of HVM and social distancing products and services, visit www. hardstaffbarriers.com/product/hvm or call 0115 983 2304. Selfridges enlisted the help of Hardstaff Barriers to install concrete safety barriers along Edwards Mews