New audio system allows security staff to communicate with shoppers in any section of the Granger Market in Newcastle

25 February 2010

Managers at the 170 year old Granger Market in the centre of Newcastle upon Tyne specified a system that would deliver a clear message to each individual aisle in the market, to the open Arcade section and to the whole market as required.

Customers at the Grade 1 listed building will now be able to hear crisp security messages thanks to a new audio system installed by Blaydon Communications Ltd.

Since the building is listed, the Blaydon Communications team could not drill holes or alter the recently refurbished Victorian fixtures and fittings. To add to the pressure, the installation had to be completed during a single Sunday when the market was closed.

The system allows security staff to address customers with health and safety or security announcements in a single aisle or throughout the market. In addition there are recorded messages reminding customers of the no smoking policy, a fire alarm drill, closing time and an evacuation message.

Blaydon Communications Director Paul Dougherty said: “Aside from the restrictions on working in a listed building the challenge with the Grainger Market was the huge void between the top of the stalls and the ribbed roof. We designed a system using TOA speaker systems that directs sound to the people in the market but does not ‘excite’ the air in the void above, which would cause distortion and reverberation. This resulted in clear reception for security messages in each aisle and in the open Arcade area. Now security staff can play digitally pre-recorded messages or communicate with shoppers in any section of the market.”

Market Manager Heather Thurlaway said: “It’s great that we have the new sound system for our refurbished market. The old one was limping along and didn’t work in some areas. Now our security staff can communicate with the whole market or just one aisle”.