Widnes & Runcorn
Door Supervisor & SIA top up / refresher courses for Widnes and Runcorn
ESO's registered office is in Widnes, but all our training happens at our centre in Bootle. From Widnes or Runcorn it's about 16 miles, mostly on the M62 and M57, with free parking when you arrive.
We run the full Door Supervisor course (£250, 6 days), the Door Supervisor Top Up / Refresher (£150) and the Security Guard Top Up / Refresher (£100). We're family-run, with 692 five-star Google reviews.
- About 16 miles by road to our Bootle centre
- Mostly motorway (M62, M57)
- Direct trains from Widnes and Runcorn to Lime Street
- 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 Widnes & Runcorn
By car
From Widnes, head north to the M62, then west to junction 6 and up the M57 to Switch Island. Take the A5036 into Bootle from there. From Runcorn you'll cross the river first. The Mersey Gateway and Silver Jubilee bridges are both tolled, but eligible Halton residents can register with merseyflow for unlimited free crossings for a small annual fee.
Parking at the centre is free.
By train
Widnes and Runcorn stations both have direct trains to Liverpool Lime Street. From Liverpool Lime Street, take Merseyrail one stop to Liverpool Central (or walk, about 5 minutes) and catch a Northern Line train towards Southport – Bootle New Strand is five stops from Central. Only Southport trains stop at Bootle, so check the destination board.
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 Widnes & Runcorn
Halton has a lot of security work outside the night-time economy. Logistics and distribution sites, such as the 3MG freight hub in Widnes, and the area's chemical and industrial sites all use licensed security staff. A Door Supervisor licence covers that guarding work as well as door work.
For door work, there are the town centre pubs and bars, rugby league matchdays in Widnes, and Liverpool city centre, which is easy to reach on the train.
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 Widnes & Runcorn
Do you run courses in Widnes?
No. ESO's registered office is in Widnes, but all our courses run at our training centre in Bootle (L20 4AP).
Do I have to pay the bridge toll from Runcorn?
The Mersey Gateway and Silver Jubilee bridges are tolled. Eligible Halton residents can register with merseyflow for unlimited personal crossings for a small annual fee. Check merseyflow for the current terms.
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!
Nearby areas
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