​​​​​​​Mul-T-Lock: Securing Headingley Stadium

Headingley Stadium is a double-faced sports stadium that works seamlessly for both Yorkshire County Cricket Club and the rugby league club Leeds Rhinos. 

The unique concept of the jointly owned stand is undergoing a significant £50 million investment programme over a twenty-year period, involving architects and designers coordinating with different needs and security aspects.

Mul-T-Lock worked closely with EM-B, part of the MB Group, from the initial design process, working in partnership as technical design consultants for door hardware, and checking compliance across the premises, with a focus on hospitality and stand security, to bring the project together.

To date, over 250 MTL500 cylinders have been installed on a master key suite, providing high-security protection and flexibility to accommodate the different access control requirements across the stadium complex.

"We have, and continue to invest, a significant amount to ensure Headingley Stadium meets the strict criteria for both test cricket and Super League rugby," says Rob Oates, Commercial Director at Headingley Stadium. "We need to ensure every level of detail is commissioned to be as secure as possible both now and in the future, without compromising on aesthetics and finishing styles."

"MB-Locks, together with Mul-T-Lock, demonstrated the advantages of MTL500, and I was especially impressed with the flexibility of the master key system and its ability to incorporate all of our key access requirements," says Oates. “MTL500 master key suite is now installed in the stadium’s hospitality areas and stands, with minimum disruption to the dual ground operations."

Mul-T-Lock’s MTL500 is the first cylinder in the UK to be supported by a unique key authorisation magnetic strip card. This card must be presented to a registered MTL500 locksmith before any additional keys can be supplied to ensure tight control of key duplication.

Philip Goldberg, Managing Director of MB Locks, says: "The Headingley Stadium is a unique challenge, as both the Leeds Rhinos Rugby League Club and Yorkshire County Cricket Club have very different needs and requirements for the project in terms of security, accessibility and aesthetics.  We worked on both sides of the stand including boxes, changing rooms, hospitality areas and concourses; a complex brief. The benefit of working with Mul-T-Lock is our long-standing relationship, meaning that the specification could be quickly translated with the technical and sales team to design a master key suite, using MTL500 as a protective opportunity to meet the requirements.  It can provide the ultimate in security, but also it offers a high-quality access control system with a huge number of useable combinations.”

“The specification for Headingley Stadium, especially for the hospitality areas was exceptionally high.  And this all had to be considered with top levels of security and access control for corporate and players’ entrances," says Lee Mitchell, Mul-T-Lock regional sales manager. “Mul-T-Lock worked with EM-B Locks to deliver the tailor-made solution that could accommodate the different access requirements, all without compromising on aesthetics or security.  All ultimately operating off the high protection MTL500 master key system to offer the highest level of patent protection throughout the dual stadium premises.”