The Groningen Provincial House, a monumental building that has served as an administrative center since 1602, is going through a challenging period. Recent social unrest surrounding issues such as earthquakes and wind turbines has led to an increased need for security. The province Groningen developed a security concept in collaboration with G4S, called “welcoming security”.
The goal of this concept is to strike a balance between openness and safety. Visitors must feel welcome, while safety is guaranteed. This has led to the deployment of security hosts who function primarily as hosts, with security as a secondary role.
G4S has specifically selected and trained personnel for this role. Notably, the security hosts do not wear recognizable G4S uniforms, but rather a uniform outfit from the provincial government building, which contributes to the welcoming appearance.
The collaboration between security hosts and facilities staff is important. Through regular consultations and joint training, they are able to work together effectively. This approach has led to an increase in the sense of safety among employees, as evidenced by recent customer research.
The program “welcoming security” The concept demonstrates that safety and hospitality can go hand in hand, without compromising the unique character of the provincial building.
