Securing your premises at the start and end of each day might seem straightforward, but for many businesses, it’s one of the most overlooked aspects of security.

Opening and locking up business premises may seem routine, but it can put staff at risk – exposing them to potential threats, lone working dangers, and the stress of handling security responsibilities outside regular hours.

That’s why open and lock services have become a popular choice for organisations of all sizes. In this blog, we explore what they involve, who uses them, and why they work so well …

1. What Are Open and Lock Services?

At Business Watch Guarding, our open and lock services are tailored to your schedule and business needs. In the morning, our officers arrive ahead of staff to check the perimeter, unlock the building, disable alarms, and carry out an internal inspection before anyone enters.

At closing time, we perform a full lock-up – checking all entry points, securing windows, ensuring fire exits aren’t propped open, and confirming the building is empty of staff before setting the alarms and locking up.

2. Who Uses Open and Lock Services?

These services are trusted across a variety of sectors, including:

• Retail – Shops and shopping centres rely on professional security to keep stock, cash, and staff safe.
• Offices – From small businesses to corporate headquarters, these professional services eliminate the risk of rushed or incomplete lock ups by staff.
• Public sector buildings – Libraries, council offices, and healthcare facilities benefit from the assurance of secure premises, ready for public access.
• Industrial and logistics sites – Large, high-value sites require thorough perimeter checks to prevent theft or trespassing.
• Education – Schools, colleges, and training centres use open and lock services to protect staff, students and equipment.

3. Why Do These Services Work?

There are many reasons why open and lock services work so well, such as:

Consistency and Reliability – Security routines only work when they’re followed to the letter every time. Our officers follow a strict checklist, ensuring nothing gets missed.

Improved Staff Safety – Opening or locking up alone – particularly late at night – can put employees at risk. Professional officers handle these tasks, ensuring safety is never compromised.

Enhanced Deterrence – A uniformed officer arriving in a marked security vehicle provides a visible deterrent to anyone watching for vulnerabilities.

Insurance and Compliance – Many insurers require proof of adequate security. A documented open and lock service demonstrates due diligence and helps avoid rejected claims.

Peace of Mind – Most importantly, business owners can be confident their premises are secure (and their staff safe)

4. Why Choose Business Watch Guarding?

At Business Watch Guarding, we don’t just lock and unlock – we completely secure. Our trained officers follow stringent procedures, conduct thorough checks, respond to irregularities, and ensure your site is ready for business in the morning and fully protected at night.

Whether you operate a single site or multiple locations, we can create a schedule that works for you, integrating open and lock with other services such as mobile patrols, key holding, and alarm response for complete protection and peace of mind.

Contact Business Watch Guarding today for a free no-obligation chat and discover how open and lock services can strengthen your security, we’d love to hear from you!

For more information about the services available contact a member of the BWG team on security@business-watch.co.uk

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We’re thrilled to announce the promotion of our former Head of Finance Elaine Newbury to the position of Director, a move which recognises her outstanding contribution to the company over the past seven years.

Elaine joined the team in 2017 to advance and streamline our existing finance department, bring fresh insight to the senior management team, and support in the delivery of a first-class service to customers.

Over the past few years, Elaine has played a pivotal role in implementing strategic initiatives to accelerate business growth, even amidst challenging economic conditions. Her vision includes working closely with partner organisations to protect the business community and raise awareness of the crucial importance of adequate security provisions.

Managing Director Paul Hinkins, said: “Elaine has worked with me for the last seven year and during this time has acquired comprehensive knowledge of the company – so when the vacancy came up for the Director’s position, it was an easy decision for me to approach her. I am delighted to say Elaine accepted and will continue to deliver her initiative-taking approach across all areas of our business.”

As Director, Elaine will help shape the future of the business – driving growth, further enhancing service offering, and strengthening partnerships with clients and partners. She will continue to lead initiatives that improve efficiency and innovation across the company, while also championing staff development and diversity within the security sector – something that she is particularly passionate about.

Elaine said: “I am so honoured to be taking on this new responsibility and to continue working with such a dedicated team. Business Watch Guarding has a proud history of safeguarding businesses across the county, and I look forward to driving our mission forward – ensuring our clients, employees, and partners feel supported, protected, and valued.”

For more information about how your business could benefit from security solutions support or to arrange your free security audit to review your current security provisions and make any additional recommendations, please visit: www.business-watch.co.uk, or contact: security@business-watch.co.uk

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