The Venues Collection has announced
the introduction of allergen emergency kits across all its venues,
strengthening its commitment to delegate, guest and staff safety.
The initiative responds to a
growing industry focus on improving preparedness for allergic reactions,
including anaphylaxis. With an estimated 2.5 million people in the UK living
with a diagnosed allergy - and research indicating that almost half of those
prescribed adrenaline auto-injectors do not carry them consistently - immediate
access to emergency support can be critical.
The allergen kits are supplied by Kitt Medical, a specialist provider of
anaphylaxis emergency equipment. They will be stored in clearly designated
locations across each venue and supported by trained team members who are
equipped to respond quickly and effectively in the event of an allergic emergency.
Joanne Barratt, MD
of The Venues Collection, said: “Events should be welcoming, inclusive and,
above all, safe for everyone attending. Introducing allergen emergency kits
across all our venues is a practical but important step that reinforces our
responsibility to guests, organisers and our own teams. It’s about being
prepared, reducing risk and giving people confidence that their wellbeing is
taken seriously from the moment they arrive.”
The introduction of allergen
emergency kits complements The Venues Collection’s existing allergen management
procedures, including detailed pre-event communication with organisers, clear
food labelling, trained catering and front-of-house teams, and robust
operational protocols. Together, these measures form part of the group’s wider
health, safety and duty-of-care strategy, ensuring venues are prepared to
support both planned catering requirements and unexpected incidents.
Editor's view - Paul Harvey, editor of M&IT, said:
"Is this the first venue group to roll out allergen emergency kits across an entire portfolio? I've done some digging and can't find any others - happy to be corrected though! It marks a significant - and overdue - step for the events sector. With around 2.5 million people in the UK living with a diagnosed allergy, and research suggesting up to 45 per cent of those prescribed adrenaline auto-injectors don’t consistently carry them, the risk is not theoretical - it’s present in every audience.
"The conversation around allergens has intensified in recent years, driven by high-profile cases, stricter labelling expectations and a broader focus on duty of care. Yet preparedness at live events has often lagged behind awareness.
"What makes this initiative important is that it moves beyond compliance into practical readiness. Food labelling and pre-event questionnaires are essential, but they don’t help when something unexpected happens on site. like this could become as standard as defibrillators - a visible reassurance that safety and inclusion genuinely come first."
