Local venues in Wrexham have come together to pledge their support to the North Wales Women’s Night Safety Charter, showing a shared commitment to helping make the city’s night-time economy safer, more welcoming and more supportive for women.
XS Wrexham and Penny Black were the first venues to sign the pledge, leading the way for others to follow.
The venues gathered at Ty Pawb to sign the charter together, marking a positive step forward for women’s safety in Wrexham.
A number of other local businesses signed the pledge on the day, including The Bank, The Welch Fusilier, New York New York, Wynnstay Arms Hotel, The Long Pull, The Golden Lion, Chequers Wine Bar and Wrexham Cwtch.
The charter, which was launched earlier this year at Ty Pawb, has been developed to support businesses and organisations that operate during the evening and night-time economy, particularly those with female staff, customers and visitors.
It encourages venues to take practical steps to improve women’s safety between 6pm and 6am, including appointing a named Safety Champion, supporting staff training, improving reporting routes, promoting a zero-tolerance approach to harassment and reviewing venue design to help reduce risk.
By signing the charter, venues are demonstrating that they take women’s safety seriously and are willing to play an active role in creating safer spaces for staff, customers and the wider public.
Councillor Beverley Parry-Jones, Gender-based violence, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Champion said, “The Charter is about working together, taking practical action and making sure women feel safer and more supported when they are working in or visiting our city at night.”
“XS Wrexham and Penny Black have helped lead the way by becoming the first venues to sign the Charter, and it is really encouraging to see other businesses come together to show their support and commitment to women’s safety.”
The charter is designed to be practical and achievable, giving businesses clear actions they can take to support women’s safety in the night-time economy.
Businesses signing up to the Charter pledge to support a number of key commitments, including appointing a Champion, communicating positive safety messages, empowering staff, supporting the public, improving training and responding, and reviewing design and safety within their venues.
It is now hoped that more venues across Wrexham and the wider region will come forward and pledge their support.
Businesses and organisations who are interested in finding out more about the North Wales Women’s Night Safety Charter can contact communitysafety@wrexham.gov.uk.
