Creating a safe and welcoming environment is something all pubs, bars, and hospitality venues strive to achieve and the Ask For Angela initiative plays a part in ensuring just that.
Warrington BID is keen to support the town’s venues in adopting this scheme, which provides a discreet way for individuals to ask for help if they ever find themselves in an uncomfortable or potentially unsafe situation.
The idea behind the initiative is simple. If someone feels unsafe or wants to discreetly leave a situation without drawing attention, they can approach a staff member and ask for “Angela.” This signals to the staff that the individual needs support – whether that’s assistance in leaving the venue or other help.
It’s a great scheme that’s already in place in many areas, but recent discussions on social media have highlighted some concerns. In a recent article, it was suggested that some hospitality venues may not always be fully aware of the initiative or how to respond when someone uses it. While this might be the case in some instances, there are plenty of resources and training available to make sure staff know what to do.
Warrington BID is committed to supporting businesses in the town centre and ensuring they have access to the right tools and resources. For those venues that have implemented Ask For Angela, it’s worth revisiting the training to make sure everyone feels confident in what to do.
And for those who haven’t yet adopted it, there’s plenty of information available online to help you get started. The more familiar staff are with the process, the more effectively they can provide support.
At the end of the day, it’s about making sure Warrington’s nightlife is as safe and enjoyable as possible for everyone. If your venue is interested in learning more about the Ask For Angela initiative or wants access to the available training, visit their website for more information and downloadable tools.
