AUTUMN 2023 RUGBY WORLD CUP Think ahead to ensure your rugby-themed events dont get kicked into touch Bars and pubs will be hoping for an early-autumn boost from the mens Rugby World Cup, which kicked off in France on 8 September. With 48 matches over seven weeks and the final in Paris on 28 October it could be a busy time for hospitality venues, so here are some tips on keeping your rugby-themed events safe. Review your fire risk assessment Venue owners must review their premises fire risk assessment from time to time, especially if there have been any changes to the building or its use. Go to the West Midlands Fire Service website for guidance on carrying out an assessment. Know your venues capacity Overcrowded venues can lead to disorder and increased crime, cause a public nuisance, and create a potentially unsafe environment for your staff and customers. Your fire risk assessment will set your venues capacity, but this may be decreased depending on specific events and the activities taking place. Think about what may cause harm to your staff or customers because of the movement, dynamics and behaviour of people at your venue. Door staff If you sell alcohol, you must ensure your customers do not behave in a way that is offensive to others or that breaks the law Alcohol warning signs n Disruptive behaviour n Raised voices and arguments n Customers buying drinks or shots in quick succession n One or more people playing to a crowd n People being held up by their friends n Glazed eyes, stumbling, slurred words n Vomit in the toilets All approved-supplier door staff must be Security Industry Authority (SIA) badged and registered (check on the SIA website), and logged in the door supervisors log sheet. Ensure they are fully briefed on: your trading times and last-entry time; the location of fire exits and evacuation points; your capacity and dress code; your vulnerability and drink-spiking procedures; and any current issues. Drunk and disorderly guidance It is against the law to: n Knowingly sell alcohol to someone who is drunk or appears to be drunk n Knowingly buy or obtain alcohol for a drunken person on licensed premises n Allow people to behave in a disorderly way while inside or on the grounds of your premises. Under Section 143 of the Licensing Act 2003, it is also an offence for someone who is drunk or disorderly not to leave the premises when requested to do so by staff or police. If you sell alcohol, you must ensure your customers do not behave in a way that is offensive to others or that breaks the law. So it is important you know how to deal with drunkenness and disorderly behaviour should it arise. Intoxicated people can also be quiet or asleep. Keep an eye on customers to identify potential problems early (see panel, Alcohol warning signs). Tackling the fakes Those hoping to manufacture or sell clothing and memorabilia connected with the tournament should be aware that Rugby World Cup Limited protects a large variety of brand assets including logos, words, titles and symbols using trademarks and copyright. Unauthorised use of these trademarks may result in individuals or businesses breaching the Trade Marks Act 1994, which is a criminal offence. They could also be subject to civil litigation. Businesses should research whether the logos they want to use are protected by intellectual property (IP) rights and whether they will require a licence. Retailers who buy goods bearing any of the logos associated with the Rugby World Cup 2023 should make sufficient checks to confirm they are not counterfeit and are produced by a business with the appropriate licence. You should: n Only buy goods from conventional sources and official suppliers n Always get an itemised and dated receipt showing any VAT paid and the VAT-registration number n Be suspicious of prices that are too cheap for branded goods n Contact the manufacturer or Trading Standards if you have concerns about goods you are offered or have bought. The Intellectual Property Office website gives general advice on complying with IP law or visit the Business Companion website for information about protecting your own intellectual property. To anonymously report a business selling counterfeit goods, call 0808 223 1133. Credit: Daniel Hodgkins, watch commander, West Midlands Fire Service Image: iStock Credit: Ian Bell, Trading Standards officer For further information, please contact your local Trading Standards Service For up-to-date news stories and information, follow us on Anonymous Hotline 0300 303 2636 Is your sector being undermined by unscrupulous traders operating outside the law? Report them via Trading Standards Anonymous Hotline or online and help level the playing field for honest businesses.