Case Study - Anti-Slip Floor Safety for Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre

The world-famous Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre venue attracts thousands of visitors each year, to the Globe open air Elizabethan theatre, the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse an indoor Jacobean candle lit theatre, as well as many guided tours of the buildings.

But the venue is incredibly busy behind the scenes too, employing approximately 293 staff and in the region of 100 actors, musicians and other theatre makers.

Health and safety measures

A pathway across the building and leading up to the stage door is used regularly by all staff, but was causing concern. Constructed of iron, the walkway was a slip hazard especially when wet. The main thoroughfare to the theatres before a performance, an untimely slip could prove very costly and damaging to the theatres reputation if there were last minute cancellations.

Anti-Slip Installation Service

Previous attempts to use anti-slip paint were not affective, and with health and safety a top priority, the Theatre's Building Services department chose Sui Generis anti-slip floor sheets as the solution.

Sui Generis were called in to supply and install the anti-slip flooring, which the team completed in 2 days. Floor sheets were fitted to the existing metal substrate and now provide an hard-wearing gritted surface to reduce slips and improve the appearance of the area.

Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre

Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre is third version of Globe Theatre to have been built. The original theatre was constructed in 1599 but was destroyed by fire in 1613. It was rebuilt a year later, but turned into tenement buildings in 1644 after puritanical fears about stage plays which forced London theatres to close in 1642.

The Third Globe, completed in 1997, now called Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre was made of the materials the original builders would have used, with modern health and safety measures incorporated such as the lining of the thatched roof with fire-retardant material.

About Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre

Anti-slip flooring - a quick and cost effective safety solution

Anti slip floor sheets are designed to fit to floors, walkways, landings, platforms, a quick and cost effective solution to improving health and safety.

Anti-Slip Floor Sheets