Pubs back Safe Places campaign in Northampton to protect vulnerable club-goers

Our campaign calls on the 14 establishments in the town centre that are open until after 1am to provide Safe Places for people - particularly women - to shelter in if they have lost their friends or find themselves feeling vulnerable.Our proposed Safe Places would provide a warm and well-lit haven for female party-goers, with water on hand and a seating area.On behalf of The Cordwainer, Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said: “We applaud the campaign from The Northampton Chronicle & Echo.“The safety of women is of utmost importance when they are on a night out.”Father Oliver Coss has previously said he wants to take the first step and explore putting a marquee outside All Saints Church – in the heart of the town’s nightspots – where people can wait for friends or a taxi in safety.Off the back of this, Simon Beal from Marston’s said on behalf of The Fiddlers and The Auctioneers: “We are happy to be supporting this campaign to ensure the safety of women, customers and the wider public on nights out in the town. “We will also be making a donation to the All Saints marquee.”Greene King and McManus Pub Co have also given the campaign the green-light.Paul McManus, owner of the Jeckyll & Hyde said: “McManus Pub Co fully endorses the Chronicle & Echo campaign. We have a written duty of care policy and train our staff to identify and help vulnerable customers attending our premises.”Greene King says that The Old Bank has a safe room but supports our efforts encouraging others to follow suit. They said: “The Old Bank fully supports the Chronicle & Echo’s campaign to introduce safe place in pubs and clubs in Northampton.”“We already ready have a room which is used as a safe place for our guests who have been separated from friends or who need assistance. “Duty of care and guests drinking responsibly is a key focus at the Old Bank.”Other brewery companies with pubs in Northampton who were approached by the Chron are yet to respond.