Overview

VCPG Security is Pride’s current external security services provider, selected after several failed relationships with other agencies. Described by Mat O’Keefe as “the best agency available,” VCPG is mandated by Victorian liquor licensing law for venues holding a Late Night (On-Premises) licence. Security services represent one of Pride’s largest operational costs.

Key Facts

  • Type: External security services provider
  • Current Status: Active supplier
  • Market Position: Best available agency (per Mat O’Keefe)
  • Standard Rate: $38/hour
  • Sunday Rate: $85/hour
  • Regulatory Requirement: Mandatory for Late Night (On-Premises) licence
  • Cost Impact: One of the largest operational expenses

Regulatory Requirements

Victorian liquor licensing law requires venues holding a Late Night (On-Premises) licence to employ external security services. This makes VCPG essential to Pride’s continued compliance with licensing obligations.

Cost Management and Licence Reclassification

Security services are among Pride’s most significant operational costs. Potential Licence Reclassification from Late Night (On-Premises) to Restaurant & Cafe would dramatically reduce or eliminate the mandatory security requirements, resulting in substantial operational savings.

Critical Compliance Gap

A significant risk has been identified in the compliance framework: security guards do not currently receive a banned persons list. This represents a critical operational gap, as security staff cannot effectively enforce venue policies regarding barred patrons without access to this information.

Operational Safety Impact

Beyond compliance, VCPG services directly support Pride’s operational safety and patron management objectives. The relationship affects incident response, risk mitigation, and overall venue security posture.