Bouncers display a lighter touch

May 1 2007 By Neil Elkes, Birmingham Mail

NIGHTCLUB bouncers on Birmingham's Golden Mile have ditched their intimidating black overcoats and bomber jackets for a friendly new image.

The Broad Street door supervisors have been issued with high-visibility shiny yellow jackets to improve safety and security in the area.

Bosses have bought 150 of the branded jackets, at a cost of £8,500, to highlight the registered and highly-trained staff and improve public confidence.

The jackets were funded as part of the BSafe initiative, which is a joint partnership between the Broad Street Business Improvement District, Birmingham City Council and West Midlands Police

Broad Street manager Mike Olley said: "It's been an important step for us to introduce the jackets.

"All of the door crews are committed to security in the area to help maintain its reputation as a safe place where people can work and enjoy themselves.

"There are sometimes 40,000 people here in one night and it's reassuring for the public to see the security teams, it also shows we are one big team in Broad Street."