Hackney Empire is one of London’s most celebrated and historic performance venues. Built in 1901 by renowned theatre architect Frank Matcham, the Grade II* listed building has hosted some of the greatest names in entertainment – from Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel to Julie Andrews – and continues to stage world-class theatre, opera, comedy, dance, and music today, in partnership with organisations including the Royal Shakespeare Company and the BBC Concert Orchestra.
When the time came to replace an access control system that had served the venue for over 25 years, Hackney Empire chose to continue its long-standing relationship with Grosvenor Technology – this time upgrading to the JanusC4 platform, installed by Hall & Kay.
The Challenge
Hackney Empire had been running a legacy Grosvenor Sateon system for over 25 years – a testament to the durability of the original installation, but one that had reached the limits of what it could offer a busy, modern venue:
- Outdated swipe-based technology no longer met contemporary security standards
- The system lacked the flexibility to support varied and granular access permissions across a complex, multi-use site
- As a Grade II* listed building, any upgrade needed to be planned and executed with sensitivity to the historic fabric of the building
- The venue operates as an active, busy cultural destination, requiring installation to be carried out with minimal disruption
The Solution
Hall & Kay were appointed as the installing security firm, with Grosvenor Technology providing the platform and ongoing support. The solution included:
- Full migration from the legacy Sateon system to the JanusC4 access control platform across 24 doors
- Deployment of HID iClass high-frequency readers and credentials, replacing outdated swipe technology with a modern proximity-based solution
- Enhanced cloning resistance and improved overall security posture through high-frequency credential technology
- Granular, role-based access permissions configured across the site, reflecting the varied access needs of Hackney Empire’s staff
- Installation carried out over several weeks, with Hall & Kay engineers professionally trained and certified on JanusC4 by Grosvenor Technology
The Results and Benefits
The upgrade has brought one of London’s most iconic venues into a new era of access control, with a platform built to serve Hackney Empire for years to come:
- Modern security credentials: The move to HID iClass high-frequency technology eliminates the vulnerabilities of legacy swipe-based access
- Granular access control: JanusC4 enables comprehensive, varied permission structures across the site – right for a venue with diverse staffing and operational needs
- Continuity of expertise: Hackney Empire retained the confidence of a trusted, long-standing technology partner in Grosvenor Technology
- Future-ready platform: JanusC4 provides the infrastructure to meet the venue’s security needs well into the future
- Proven installation quality: Hall & Kay’s factory-trained engineers delivered the migration to a high professional standard
“Hackney Empire are very pleased to be working with both Hall & Kay and Grosvenor Technology to install JanusC4 in replacement of their existing Grosvenor system. Having used the Sateon system for over 25 years, and with Grosvenor being a British manufacturer, we are excited to see what the latest technology JanusC4 has to offer in securing such an iconic and historical venue.” – Spokesperson, Hackney Empire
“It’s a pleasure once again to utilise the quality of Grosvenor products and our high levels of experience with JanusC4. Our engineers have been professionally trained by Grosvenor on the JanusC4 system and subsequently have a thorough understanding of its features, benefits, and operation. This allowed us to demonstrate the capabilities of the product and provide further confidence to such a historical site.” – Andy Wickenden, Head of Sales, Hall & Kay
“We are really pleased to be working with Hackney Empire and Hall & Kay in their choice of JanusC4 to bring this historic venue up to modern security specifications. The fact that Hackney Empire have chosen to remain with Grosvenor Technology is a testament to the confidence they have in our solutions, and with Hall & Kay as the installer, this will ensure a successful migration.” – Senior Product Manager, Grosvenor Technology
Protecting Living Heritage
Historic listed venues present a unique set of access control challenges – the need to modernise security without compromising the integrity of a protected building, while keeping a busy cultural destination fully operational. This project demonstrates how the right partnership can:
- Honour the building’s history: Sensitive, planned installation that respects the fabric of a Grade II* listed structure
- Deliver a generational upgrade: Moving from technology that served well for 25 years to a platform built for the next 25
- Keep culture accessible: Upgrading security without disrupting the performances, partnerships, and communities that make Hackney Empire what it is
About Hall & Kay
Hall & Kay is the UK’s largest fully accredited independent Integrated Security and Fire Suppression company with over 300 staff and engineers spread throughout the regions and across EMEA. They bring advanced product technology, the highest standard of professional expertise and service to the core of their business and a one-team approach enables them to achieve engineering excellence every time.
Hall & Kay’s installation engineers are trained to the highest standards, and supported by specialist service, maintenance and technical support engineers who are on hand 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Offering accurate remote diagnosis and rapid response to all queries.
They are consultants, designers, installers, and maintainers of all forms of Integrated Security and protection systems and always work in accordance with the highest industry standards as set out by the police, fire and rescue services, and insurance providers.
Delivering high quality service and reliable results every time, Hall & Kay Security Engineering will keep your business safe and secure.
Hall & Kay have been loyal customers of Grosvenor Technology for many years and collaborate with Grosvenor Technology to deliver world-class solutions to their extensive client base. With Grosvenor Technology’s legacy systems now earmarked for end-of-life, they look forward to bringing this and other sites up to a contemporary standard of security. JanusC4 offers an integrated solution that meets the demands of today’s market.
Photo credit: Mark Senior