The Southside Business Improvement District has appointed a team of street wardens to be its eyes and ears throughout the city centre area.
The new team, provided by APCOA Services Group, is now patrolling the area, which was designated a Business Improvement District (BID) in 2011.
The aim is to provide a safe and pleasant environment both day and night and provide reassurance to residents of the area and visitors to it.
The wardens are the first in Birmingham to be provided by a private contractor.
The contract was awarded by the BID following a tendering process and reflects APCOA’s established commercial presence in Birmingham, where it also provides security patrolling services, car park management services and concierge/security services.
In their distinctive blue and purple uniforms, Southside’s street wardens will be providing guidance and advice to the public, while supporting the work of the police and other security initiatives already in place in the district.
The wardens will work as part of the wider community, interacting with Southside’s businesses, staff and residents, as well as providing a warm welcome to visitors.
The street wardens will also deal with a range of other issues, including giving directions and local information to tourists, and identifying any environmental concerns like graffiti and dropped litter.
Julia Chance, Southside BID manager, said: “One of the BID’s primary objectives is to improve Southside’s streets. This includes better lighting, signage and visitor information, as well as cleanliness and, of course, safety.
“Research conducted on behalf of the BID in recent months indicates that people already feel safe when in Southside. The introduction of wardens is part of our strategy to maintain those high approval ratings and improve them wherever we can.”
