Southport
Door Supervisor & SIA top up / refresher courses for Southport
You don't need to go into Liverpool to get your SIA licence. ESO's centre in Bootle is on the same Merseyrail Northern Line as Southport, so you can get on at Southport, Birkdale or Ainsdale and stay on until Bootle New Strand. There's no change, and it's about an 8-minute walk from there to the centre.
We run the full Door Supervisor course for new starters (£250, 6 days) and the Door Supervisor and Security Guard top ups (refreshers) for renewals. We're a family-run centre, and our learners have left 692 five-star Google reviews.
- About 18 miles by road to our Bootle centre
- Direct Northern Line train from Southport to Bootle New Strand
- Free parking at the centre
- Door Supervisor £250 · top ups from £100
- Family-run · 692 five-star Google reviews
692
five-star Google reviews
98%
of exams passed first time (Laser/Trident results, Nov 2025 to Nov 2026)
Laser Trident
approved training centre
Bootle
face-to-face training, L20 4AP
Getting to our Bootle centre from Southport
By car
It's about 18 miles by road. The A565 runs south from Southport through Formby and Crosby into Bootle, so it's essentially one road. Parking at the centre is free, so a six-day course doesn't come with a parking bill.
By train
Northern Line trains from Southport towards Liverpool stop at Bootle New Strand, so you can stay on the same train the whole way. It's about an 8-minute walk to the centre from there. Check times on the Merseyrail journey planner, and give yourself time for the walk on day one.
Road distances are approximate (OpenStreetMap routing to L20 4AP). Check live times with Merseyrail, National Rail or Merseytravel before you travel.
Venue: St Mary's Complex, Waverley Street, Bootle L20 4AP. Map, walking routes and parking.
Security work in and around Southport
Southport's bars, clubs and restaurants around Lord Street and the seafront need licensed door staff, especially at weekends and in the summer. The town also hosts big seasonal events, a theatre and convention centre, and championship golf at Royal Birkdale. All of these bring in event security work.
Many Southport door supervisors also work in Liverpool city centre, and Bootle sits between the two on the same line. A Door Supervisor licence also covers security guarding, so retail jobs in the town centre count too.
Every employer sets its own requirements, and no course can promise a job. Your licence application is decided by the SIA.
Which course do you need?
Door Supervisor
£250
New to security, or want the licence that covers door work and guarding.
6 days, face to face. Need first aid? Add Emergency First Aid at Work for £75 – it runs on the morning of day one, so there is no extra day.
Course detailsDoor Supervisor Top Up / Refresher
£150
Renewing a Door Supervisor licence. This is the course people know as the top up – now officially called the refresher.
2 days. Your first aid must be valid for at least another 12 months – add EFAW for £50.
Course detailsSecurity Guard Top Up / Refresher
£100
Renewing a Security Guard licence (the Security Guard top up, now called the refresher).
1 day. Add EFAW for £50 if your first aid needs renewing.
Course detailsYou need a current first aid qualification (Emergency First Aid at Work or above) for SIA Door Supervisor training and for the top ups / refreshers. Emergency First Aid at Work is £100 on its own.
Upcoming dates in Bootle
Door Supervisor
| Dates | Book |
|---|---|
| Mon 16 Nov – Sat, 21 Nov 2026 | Book |
| Mon 30 Nov – Sat, 5 Dec 2026 | Book |
| Mon 14 Dec – Sat, 19 Dec 2026 | Book |
| Mon 11 Jan – Sat, 16 Jan 2027 | Book |
| Mon 25 Jan – Sat, 30 Jan 2027 | Book |
Door Supervisor Top Up / Refresher
Short videos before you book
Is door supervision for me?
1 min 46 s · captions
What to expect on your first day
1 min 56 s · captions
Time to renew your SIA licence?
1 min 4 s · captions
How to apply for your SIA licence
5 min 49 s · captions
Passed your course? Our SIA licence guide covers the application step by step, including which ID the SIA accepts. ESO is an independent training provider, not part of the SIA.
Questions from Southport
Do you run courses in Southport?
No. All our courses run at our Bootle centre (L20 4AP). It's on the Merseyrail Northern Line from Southport, so you can get there without changing trains.
How far is it from Southport?
About 18 miles by road, mostly on the A565. By train, it's a direct Northern Line train to Bootle New Strand, then about an 8-minute walk.
Can I travel in each day for the 6-day course?
Yes, most learners do. Day one runs 2pm to 6pm (or from 9am if you've added first aid, which runs that morning). Days 2 to 6 run 9am to 6pm.
Reviews
Review: 5 Stars – Outstanding Training Experience I am giving a 5-star, outstanding award to ESO Training for the Door Supervisor’s course I recently completed. If you are looking for professional security training, look no further. The Facilities I was originally attracted to this course because of the free onsite parking and the nearby ASDA—meaning no expensive city parking or pricey lunches. The training takes place in a characterful old school building, but the classrooms themselves are modern and well-kitted out with comfortable chairs and two huge TV monitors. Simon, the owner, also provides an endless supply of free refreshments throughout the week. Expert Instruction Simon and George are incredibly approachable and bring a vast amount of industry experience to the table. Their method of engaging with students ensures that every hour is entertaining; from day one, you truly feel like you are being looked after. Support & Success Their training style gives you a very high probability of passing. Simon is genuinely invested in your success—he doesn't want anyone to fail and will even allow you to return until you pass. Once I succeeded, Simon updated my personal SIA account within just a few days, allowing me to apply for my license immediately. Final Thoughts I want to thank Simon and George for delivering a “top-notch” week. Thanks to their help, I’ve already applied for my license and am ready to get back on the employment ladder. I have so much respect for these guys; the entire process from start to finish took less than two weeks. I am so glad I chose this course. Thank you!
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