Anyone up - work in a pub and can't lock up don't know what to do!!

[lechatnoir]

I work pt in a pub and have been left to lock up for the first time & no one showed me what to do or left instructions so assumed it would be straightforward. The only keys I've found don't work & I can't get hold of the manager or any other staff members by phone or text/whatsapp. WTF do I do?!

I can't leave it unlocked it's a busy town centre location but have work elsewhere at 9am and should have been home an hour ago

Ok did they give you any keys or instructions?
Keep trying to ring people if you can

Gosh how awful. Do you know where any of the other staff live? I can only think of sending a taxi to their address or asking a good friend to go round and knock / wake them up.

Not that helpful but I'm tired and snail slow at the moment.

The OP says no instructions and the keys don't work.

You can’t stay there all night and even if you did you wouldn’t be able to stop an intruder, you could end up in a very dangerous situation so you need to go home and leave it unlocked, it’s management’s responsibility they should have shown you how to lock up and frankly I’m presuming you are a woman they shouldn’t have left you alone to do that anyway.

Where do you put the takings for the night? The keys will usually be there or in the till. Sometimes on a hook in the cellar if there is one?

Sorry can't edit my post - I posted too quick and half read what you put!

Not your fault and I can't believe they didn't say anything - is there an alarm?

If you're truly desperate set the alarm off. The company will then call the keyholders, who will rock up to switch it off.

Keys are often in the safe or is there an office? Sometimes in the till as well

Have you tried all the keys in all locks? It seems unlikely none of the keys work.

What a nightmare! Could you have the wrong set of keys? Could there be another set floating about?
Have you looked in the till?
Any hooks under the bar where they could be dangling?
Is there a way of locking the main door from the inside and exiting out of a back door that could lock shut behind you?
I'm tired and that's the best I've got. I bet some others on here will have some good ideas. Godspeed.

No I literally was told I was closing about 15 minutes before when the other staff member left. Fuckers.

I'm going to have a look for any other keys if not will see if I can lock from the inside and get out via the fire doors as they lock behind you. Not the foggiest if there's an alarm but it won't be set tonight

Literally what is the point of responding if you're not even going to read the post. It's two paragraphs.

What lockup set up does it have OP? Shutters, is there an alarm to be set, bars with bolts? I've worked lots of retail and pubs and they can vary hugely, some of them you might be able to macgyver it and some of them you really won't (if there's an alarm code for instance).

Sorry they've done this to you!

Perhaps try phoning the local police station? Not 999 but just the local station.

Also I echo a PP that's incredibly irresponsible and dangerous to leave a lone female staff member to lock up. I left a similar job for that 20 years ago, and thought people had wised up since then. Is it a chain or brewery owned or an independent?

And your reply wasn’t “Bollocks am I locking up love”?

Strange

Very basic main door with deadbolt lock. The key seems to fit in the lock but just won't turn - my hands are sore I've been trying that long.

I'm really pissed off that I've been left alone & not given instructions. Might have to ring my son who will probably answer and ask him to wake his dad/my DH as he's not answering his phone. Ffs I've only worked here 3 bloody weeks as well!

I think your other option is good if not - check windows are all shut and locked if they've got locks and if doors can be bolted from the inside then out through the fire door

I used the fire door as entrance and exit coming home after a night out to save carrying loads of keys for the pub!

Would be very pissed off nobody went through a brief explanation though especially if an alarm is meant to be set

Is there a handle on the door that lifts or anything, it's not one where you have to lift and then turn it?

@MuddyPawsIndoors it was along those lines but I was behind the bar and they just said sorry can't stay you'll be fine and buggered off.

Does it feel like the lock isn't biting or is it not turning at all? Maybe try it the wrong way and then the right way? If there are bolts inside I would just put those on and leave through the fire exit. Then send a message to management telling them my (extortionate) overtime rate and giving immediate notice unless I received a grovelling apology and a rocket up the arse of whoever sanctioned this.

I really hope you're out by now, or at least that help is on the way! What a rotten (and stupid) thing to do to you.

If still casting around for a solution, I second calling 101. They should have keyholder contacts.

Doesn't the door just automatically lock when you close it then ?

Have you tried turning the key in the opposite direction you would normally?
Also lifting the door as you turn the key? You've probably done this.

I'm done. Bolted from the inside and left via the fire escape which self closes/locks.

I also now have a set of keys and nog back in until Friday so bugger knows what will happen with those but I won't be dropping them off that's for sure! The whole thing was thoroughly stressful and I'll speak to the manager (who is about 10 & a prat) tomorrow. Aside from this & idiot manager who is rarely there, it's a great job I'd like to keep but not doing that again!

Start looking for another job OP. This is an unacceptable way to be treated. Make sure you bill them for your time.