A SECURITY guard who spent night shifts studying for qualifications is now training would-be bouncers in Northwich.

Lee Siddall, who's also a town councillor, started his security career at Covid test centres after his catering business, Deli Thyme, fell victim to the pandemic.

He subsidised his income working as a nightclub bouncer and retail security guard before landing a job as a security operations manager.

Never scared to get stuck in, Lee used his long and often uneventful nightshifts to study for qualifications in conflict management, first aid, teaching and assessment, and physical intervention, and is now a certified Security Industry Authority (SIA) trainer.

The 42-year-old has now launched a new SIA training business, Siddall Training Solutions, and his first course, a two-day door supervisor top-up with an optional first aid at work extension, starts on Saturday, April 27, in Winnington.

The dad-of-three says he’s looking forward to ‘feeling pride in himself once more’ as he gets stuck into building his company from the ground up.

“I’m planning to make my family proud by being a small independent business owner who can really add value to his community,” said Lee.

“I know, from previous experience, how hard you need to work to make a success of any business.

“The last four years have been full of ups and downs. After losing my catering business and struggling with depression, working at the Northwich Covid test centres was a real but unexpected eye-opener.

“I got chatting with one of the security guards who told me all about the SIA qualifications, which I decided to go for. I had to travel up to Preston though as I couldn’t find anything more local.  

“On the first day of the course, it dawned on me: I could teach a class like this. So I started looking into how you become an SIA instructor.

“Many hoops and lots of hard work later, I have set up Siddall Training Solutions, accredited by Qualifications Network and the SIA, to deliver door supervisors, security guard, first aid, and a range of health and safety qualifications.”

Lee will be using Northwich and District Youth Centre in Winnington to deliver the training courses as he believes it's a good way of keeping money in the community.

Places on the SIA and other courses can be booked through the company’s website. Book before May 24 using the code NG04 to get 10 per cent off.

Lee added: "Door work is great if you like meeting people, and you can really have some fun and make some great friends.

"You encounter the odd drunk fool occasionally, but you learn good conflict management skills and can fall back on your physical intervention training as a last resort.

“Some assignments can give you time to work on your personal development. I know some security guards who’ve retrained in finance while doing night shifts, and it’s not uncommon for people to earn up to £3,000 a month.”