Close on 500 security staff will be provided for each international match at the stadium, with the contract also including security services for Edinburgh and Glasgow Rugby fixtures as well as high profile concerts.
In recent years, artists including U2, REM, David Bowie, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and, last summer, the mighty Oasis have graced the stadium with their presence and fine music.
Services offered by G4S Events will include the provision of crowd management solutions, hospitality stewards, turnstile management, car parking services, response teams and, of course, stadium safety stewards.
Talking to SMT Online about the decision, Mark Laidlaw – the stadium manager at Murrayfield, explained: “We have worked with the management team at G4S Events for over ten years now, and felt that introducing a long-term contract would enable both parties to further invest in the development and training of the security and stewarding staff operational at the ground.”
Mark Hamilton, the managing director at G4S Events, added: “Scottish Rugby’s long term commitment to our services enables us to offer a bespoke stewarding and security programme that will really benefit the organisation. We can recruit new staff from the local area with great confidence, and in the knowledge that we can offer them long-term job prospects and development opportunities for their careers.”
If you know your history…
Murrayfield Stadium first opened its doors to the public in 1925, and is located in the West End of Edinburgh, boasting a capacity of just over 67,000. It’s easily the largest stadium in Scotland, and one of the biggest in the UK.
In addition to the Scottish international games (including Six Nations and friendly matches), the stadium – renovated in 1994 at a cost of GB pound 50 million – plays host to The Edinburgh Sevens, the Scottish Hydro Electric Cup Final and both Magners League and Heineken Cup fixtures.
