For market organisers
SIA licensed security teams and written security plans for independent, community and town Christmas markets and festive fairs.
A Christmas market puts stalls, stock, takings and crowds into a public space, and the site is often left unattended overnight. On Guard Security provides SIA licensed security for Christmas markets, Christmas villages and festive fairs across Scotland, working with organisers of independent, community and town markets. In 2025 we ran full site security for Clydeside Christmas Village in Glasgow. Most enquiries get a written quote within 24 hours.
Security at a Christmas market has to work during trading hours, when crowds build around food areas, stages and rides, and after closing, when stalls and stock stay on site.
The first step is a site walk. We look at the layout, entrances and exits, how visitors move between stalls, and where crowds build. The security plan and the team are based on what we find.
Every site is different. Tell us about yours and we will send a tailored quotation and plan.
A Christmas village needs the same planning as any large public event. In 2025 On Guard Security ran full site security for Clydeside Christmas Village on South Street, Glasgow, with more than 12 staff including a Security Team Manager and a Security Operations Manager. The work covered:
"Dean and his staff are always professional, reliable and well-presented at every event. They handle situations calmly and confidently, while also staying approachable and respectful to guests and staff. Dean provides us with peace of mind knowing our events are in such capable hands. His communication is always excellent, and he goes above and beyond to ensure everything runs smoothly. I would not hesitate to recommend to anyone looking for dependable, high-quality security services!"Lauren Napier, MT Attractions (organisers of Clydeside Christmas Village), verified 5-star Google review.
For a sense of scale, we also secured Kirkcaldy Links Market 2026, Europe's longest street fair. Over six days and more than 350,000 visitors, 30+ On Guard staff worked as managers, radio controllers, site supervisors, spotters, patrol staff and response teams, and the event ran without major incidents. Our page on security guards in Fife covers our wider work there.
Other events we have secured outside Edinburgh include Spooktacular Glasgow, Kirkintilloch Big Weekend, Irvine Marymass, Bathgate Gala Day and Grangemouth Gala Weekend. For year-round event work, see event security in Glasgow and event security in Edinburgh.
In Scotland, councils can require a market operator's licence for a market under section 40 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982. An event with rides or entertainment may also need a public entertainment licence under section 41 of the same Act.
Sources: legislation.gov.uk, Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982; Fife Council, "Market operator's licence".
You can share our written security plan with the council and Police Scotland as part of your application. Our guide on how to plan security for a Christmas market goes into licences, Martyn's Law and timings in more detail.
Every market has its own layout, hours and visitor numbers, so we price each one separately. Get in touch with the market dates, opening hours, site address, expected visitor numbers and whether the site needs overnight cover, by WhatsApp on +44 7348 955836 or email dean@onguardsecurity.uk. We learn about the site and your requirements, then send a tailored quotation and security plan.
The price depends on the number and type of staff, the trading and overnight hours, the location and the notice given. Overnight shifts and holiday dates may carry a surcharge. Book as soon as your dates are set, so there is time for a site walk, a written plan and any council or police review before opening. For cover needed at short notice, we also supply last minute and emergency security guards.
FAQs
No single rule covers every market. The council's licence conditions, the landowner, your insurer and the size of the event may each set requirements. On Guard Security can walk the site and set out recommended staffing in a written plan.
Yes. On Guard Security secured Clydeside Christmas Village on South Street, Glasgow, in 2025. We supplied more than 12 staff, led by a Security Team Manager and a Security Operations Manager, and handled site walkthroughs, access gaps, crowd control and antisocial behaviour.
Yes. We can put static guards on site overnight or run mobile patrols at varied times while the market is closed. Every patrol is time-stamped, and depending on the package you can also have hourly walkthrough videos and WhatsApp updates sent to the organiser's mobile.
That depends on expected visitor numbers, the site layout, the number of entrances, opening hours, whether alcohol is sold, rides and stages, and any licence conditions. After a site walk we set out the numbers and positions in a written plan.
Yes. On Guard Security provides bag searches, handheld wands and P1 knife arch hire with optional SIA operators, with knife arch delivery across the UK. Same-week bookings are often possible in Edinburgh and Glasgow, and we prefer 2 to 3 weeks' notice for large events.
Are you organising a Christmas market or festive fair in Scotland this year?
Contact us on WhatsApp or email us today to receive a written quotation and security plan.
Google reviews
"Dean and his staff are always professional, reliable and well-presented at every event. They handle situations calmly and confidently, while also staying approachable and respectful to guests and staff."
"No matter the location, whether it is Larbert, Troon, Aberdeen, Livingston, Bathgate, Inverness, Shetland, Stornoway or anywhere in between, the standard of service is always professional, reliable and well organised."
"Working alongside their team is always an absolute pleasure. Their staff is highly trained, incredibly reliable, and handles event operations with the utmost composure."
"After the first day Dean pointed out a potential security risk which I was not aware of. He also came to the site several times to check if everything is ok."
"Dean and his team are professional, reliable, well-presented, and understand the fairground and attractions industry extremely well."
"Absolutely fantastic service from the team at on guard needed last minute security and they were spot on 10/10"
"Dean and his team have been excellent. Flexible, professional and clearly understand the best approach to each individual situation."
"As an SIA-certified Close Protection specialist, his strategic preparation was spot on, and the subsequent execution left nothing to be desired."
"Dean is always a great asset in the team and his staff all align with our values of delivering above and beyond service."
"We use On guard for many of our events around Scotland. There a great bunch of guys & gals with great management and knowledge of licensing and policies."
Learn about us
A Scottish event and site security company with more than 65 SIA licensed personnel, led by founder Dean Waters, who has over 15 years in the security industry. We work across Edinburgh, Glasgow, the central belt and beyond, for events, commercial sites, construction and private clients.
Watch the video below to learn more about us
Contact us
Tell us your location or locations, dates and what you need covered. We will learn about your requirements and send a written quotation and security plan, usually within 24 hours.
Or call +44 7348 955836 · dean@onguardsecurity.uk