(2026 pricing guide for venues, events & operators)

Hiring professional SIA Door Supervisors is no longer just a compliance requirement – it’s a business decision that directly affects safety, reputation and customer experience. Whether you run a nightclub, late-night venue, hotel, private event or temporary festival site, understanding the true cost of licensed door supervision in the UK helps you plan budgets correctly and avoid risky shortcuts.

This in-depth guide explains exactly:

• what SIA Door Supervisors do

• how pricing is structured in the UK

• what factors increase or reduce your hourly rate

• how to avoid hidden costs

• how to hire compliant, ready-to-deploy staff quickly

Throughout this article we reference the UK regulator, the Security Industry Authority, which licenses Door Supervisors.

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What is an SIA Door Supervisor?

A Door Supervisor is a frontline licensed security professional trained to manage public-facing environments such as:

• nightclubs and bars

• live music venues

• late-opening restaurants

• private functions and ticketed events

• hotels and entertainment complexes

Under UK law, anyone performing these duties in a licensed environment must hold a valid licence issued by the Security Industry Authority.

Typical responsibilities include:

• controlling entry and exit points

• verifying ID and preventing under-age entry

• managing queues and crowd flow

• handling refusals and ejections lawfully

• preventing violence and disorder

• supporting venue management during incidents

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Why accurate pricing matters

Many businesses underestimate Door Supervisor costs because they only consider the visible hourly rate. In reality, pricing reflects:

• legal compliance

• recruitment screening

• licensing verification

• shift coverage and contingency

• insurance and employment overheads

Choosing the cheapest option often leads to:

• non-licensed staff

• no insurance cover

• no replacement cover if staff fail to attend

• reputational and legal risk

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Average cost to hire SIA Door Supervisors in the UK (2026)

In most UK regions, the realistic market range is:

✅ £13.50 – £18.50 per hour per Door Supervisor

This is the standard commercial rate charged by compliant recruitment and staffing agencies.

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Typical national pricing table

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These figures reflect normal operational conditions across England, Scotland and Wales.

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What directly affects the cost of SIA Door Supervisors?

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1. Location of your venue

Major cities and high-demand areas typically cost more:

• London

• Manchester

• Birmingham

• Leeds

• Bristol

Rural or suburban venues generally attract lower hourly rates due to:

• staff availability

• reduced travel and deployment costs

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2. Risk profile of the venue

Higher-risk venues increase staffing costs:

• late-night alcohol-focused venues

• high-capacity nightclubs

• venues with a history of disorder

• major sporting or music events

In these environments, agencies deploy:

• more experienced operatives

• supervisors with additional conflict management training

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3. Time of operation

Shifts that run during:

• peak nightlife hours (10pm – 4am)

• bank holidays

• seasonal events (Christmas, New Year, student weeks)

command higher rates.

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4. Length and consistency of contract

Long-term and repeat bookings usually reduce the hourly rate.

For example:

• weekly venue cover for 6+ months

• multiple shifts per week

• multi-site operators

receive better pricing than:

• single one-off events

• short notice bookings

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5. Gender and diversity requirements

Some venues require mixed-gender teams for safeguarding and compliance reasons.

Where female operatives are specifically requested, limited supply may slightly affect cost in some regions.

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6. Additional skills and responsibilities

Door Supervisors who also provide:

• search procedures

• ticket scanning

• CCTV monitoring support

• fire marshal support

• emergency evacuation coordination

may attract higher rates.

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Why you should never hire Door Supervisors directly without verification

The legal responsibility for ensuring staff are properly licensed remains with the venue.

The SIA publicly advises that:

• licences must be valid

• roles must match licence activity

• identity must be verified

Using a professional recruitment provider ensures:

• licence checks are carried out before deployment

• right-to-work checks are completed

• staff are insured under the provider’s policy

This is one of the main reasons businesses choose specialist recruitment agencies instead of private arrangements.

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What is included in a professional agency rate?

When you hire through a compliant security recruitment provider, your hourly rate covers far more than just the operative.

It includes:

• licence validation

• vetting and screening

• rota management

• sickness and absence cover

• replacement staff

• payroll administration

• employer liability insurance

• public liability insurance

This protects your business if something goes wrong.

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Real-world cost examples

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Small bar – weekend only

• 2 Door Supervisors

• 4 hours per night

• Friday and Saturday

Typical weekly cost:

2 × 4 × 2 nights × £14.50 = £232 per week

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Medium nightclub – 3 nights per week

• 4 Door Supervisors

• 6 hours per shift

4 × 6 × 3 × £15.50 = £1,116 per week

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One-day private event

• 6 Door Supervisors

• 8 hours

6 × 8 × £16.50 = £792

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Hidden costs to be aware of

Some providers advertise low rates but later add:

• booking fees

• minimum shift lengths

• late-cancellation penalties

• short-notice uplift charges

Always confirm:

• minimum hours per operative

• cancellation terms

• replacement cover policy

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Should you use a security recruitment agency or a general staffing company?

Security-specific recruitment agencies understand:

• SIA licence categories

• venue risk profiles

• deployment compliance

• emergency replacement processes

This is very different from generic staffing providers.

For organisations seeking vetted and compliant Door Supervisors, using a specialist security recruitment partner such as:

👉 https://handdservices.co.uk/security-recruitment-agency/

dramatically reduces operational risk.

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Can you negotiate Door Supervisor rates?

Yes – but only under the right conditions.

You are far more likely to secure better pricing when:

• you commit to regular shifts

• you operate multiple venues

• you provide early notice of rotas

• you allow flexible staff rotation

One-off bookings almost never receive discounted rates.

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What documents should you receive when hiring?

A professional provider should be able to confirm:

• SIA licence number for each operative

• licence expiry dates

• proof of insurance

• shift deployment schedules

If this information is not available on request, you should not proceed.

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When should you consider hiring additional Door Supervisors?

Many venues under-resource their door teams.

You should consider increasing coverage when:

• queue lengths regularly exceed safe limits

• incidents are occurring inside the venue

• female customers require safeguarding support

• local authorities recommend increased presence

• your licensing conditions change

Additional coverage often prevents costly incidents and police involvement.

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Door Supervisors vs Security Guards – what is the difference?

Door Supervisors are licensed specifically for public-facing licensed premises.

Security Guards are licensed for:

• static guarding

• corporate buildings

• warehouses

• construction sites

A Security Guard licence is not legally suitable for nightclub and bar door roles.

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How to hire SIA Door Supervisors quickly and compliantly

If you need licensed Door Supervisors for upcoming shifts, events or long-term cover, you can request vetted candidates through:

👉 https://handdservices.co.uk/hire-talent/

This allows you to specify:

• number of operatives

• location

• shift times

• experience level

For organisations that require a specialist supply partner, the full recruitment service is available here:

👉 https://handdservices.co.uk/security-recruitment-agency/

And for fast pricing and deployment confirmation, you can request a tailored quotation:

👉 https://handdservices.co.uk/get-a-quote/

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Why experienced Door Supervisors cost more – and why it is worth it

Highly experienced Door Supervisors:

• de-escalate incidents before violence occurs

• reduce refusals turning into confrontations

• protect staff and customers

• work closely with police and licensing officers

In practical terms, a slightly higher hourly rate:

• reduces ejections

• lowers injury risk

• protects your premises licence

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How licensing and compliance affect your business

The Security Industry Authority can:

• suspend licences

• revoke licences

• prosecute unlicensed activity

Venues found using unlicensed staff can face:

• licence reviews

• closure notices

• significant reputational damage

Using verified recruitment channels dramatically reduces this exposure.

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How far in advance should you book Door Supervisors?

For:

• weekend shifts → at least 7–10 days

• special events → 2–4 weeks

• seasonal campaigns → 4–8 weeks

Early booking ensures access to experienced operatives, not only newly qualified staff.

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What questions should you ask before hiring?

Before confirming any booking, ask:

• Are all operatives licensed specifically as Door Supervisors?

• What happens if someone fails to attend?

• Is emergency replacement guaranteed?

• What insurance cover is included?

• Who is the on-call supervisor during the shift?

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Final summary – how much does it really cost to hire SIA Door Supervisors?

In most parts of the UK, you should budget:

✅ £13.50 – £18.50 per hour per Door Supervisor

The exact figure depends on:

• venue risk

• location

• shift timing

• contract length

• experience level required

Attempting to reduce costs by bypassing compliant recruitment almost always increases your operational risk and long-term expense.

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Final thoughts

Hiring SIA Door Supervisors is not simply about meeting legal requirements. It is about protecting:

• your customers

• your staff

• your premises licence

• your brand reputation

For organisations looking to deploy licensed, vetted Door Supervisors with minimal risk and full compliance, professional recruitment through:

👉 https://handdservices.co.uk/hire-talent/
👉 https://handdservices.co.uk/security-recruitment-agency/
👉 https://handdservices.co.uk/get-a-quote/

ensures your coverage is reliable, compliant and scalable.

Getting the right team on your door often costs less than dealing with the consequences of getting it wrong.