27-03-2025
Venues urged to sign up to Ask for Angela code-word 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 District Council said it intends to include participation in the scheme as an expectation when it reviews its Licensing Policy later this 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 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."
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 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.
