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Pubs encouraged to join Ask for Angela scheme

Mark Smith
BBC News, Gloucestershire
The Retreat Pub A narrow alleyway through the High Street is flanked on either side by old brick buildings. The one on the left is the Retreat pub, and there are numerous hanging baskets of flowers hanging from the external wall of the pub. Up in the air between the buildings on either side of the alleyway is a sign hanging from a metal pole, which is the pub sign for the Retreat.The Retreat Pub
The Retreat in Stroud displays posters advertising the Ask for Angela scheme

Pubs and clubs are being encouraged to adopt the Ask for Angela scheme, which is a code word that people can say to bar staff if they feel unsafe.

Stroud District Council said it intends to include participation in the scheme as an expectation when it reviews its Licensing Policy later this year.

Ruby Bienek, manager of The Retreat pub in the town centre, said: "Anything that helps towards the safety of people on a night out involving alcohol is a fantastic idea."

In Tewkesbury, councillor will discuss whether to incorporate the scheme into licences while Cotswold district said it would watch other councils' progress on the scheme.

Cheltenham Borough Council Seven members of Cheltenham Borough Council stand behind a large purple flag, which has the phrase "for a better night out" written in one corner.Cheltenham Borough Council
Cheltenham Borough Council has been awarded Purple Flag status for the quality of its night-time economy and the safety of visitors

The council's encouragement comes after the BBC found venues across the country were not implementing the scheme, despite advertising it.

Secret filming by BBC researchers found in more than half of the London venues they visited, including major chains, staff failed to respond to the code word.

The BBC received similar reports from across the UK.

The daughter of Angela Crompton, whose murder led to the creation of the scheme, has now called for government action to ensure it is implemented properly.

Cheltenham has been recognised for many years with Purple Flag status for its vibrant and diverse mix of evening and night-time dining, entertainment and culture, whilst also promoting the safety and wellbeing of visitors and local residents.

Venues' participation in the Ask for Angela scheme has helped achieve this status.

"We promote it through our PubWatch scheme and through our meetings with our local publicans," said Louis Krog, Head of Public Protection at Cheltenham Borough Council.

"We provide bystander training, there's Ask for Angela messaging, so it is engrained in everything we do in our engagement with the trade.

"Nationally and locally, violence against women and girls is on the national agenda, so awareness of this type of thing is definitely growing. Cheltenham has a large student population so we are trying to educate them on this as well."

Ask for Angela publicity An orange speech bubble contains the word Angela, with the words Ask For written above it, whilst in green font below are words that encourage people to speak to bar staff if they feel unsafe.Ask for Angela publicity
Ask for Angela is a code word people can say to bar staff if they are not feeling comfortable and safe

Stroud District Council said it actively promotes Ask for Angela through its Stroud Safe scheme, but it is still voluntary. However the authority intends to include participation in the scheme as a policy expectation when it reviews its Licensing Policy this year.

Ms Bienek's staff are all aware of the Ask for Angela scheme, and there are posters promoting the scheme in her pub.

"I think it should go hand in hand with your license. I don't think it should be a choice, I think it should be mandatory that any extra safety measures are put in place," said the The Retreat pub boss.

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