Published on 5th January 2018

half empty beer glass in public house

Door staff, licensees, bar staff and others working in Cheltenham’s night time economy are being offered free training aimed at increasing safety for employees and customers.

The training - which is supported by the Police and Crime Commissioner for Gloucestershire - will be delivered by Nick Gazzard, chairman of the Hollie Gazzard Trust and Ceri Fowler from the College of Policing.

The training will:

  • equip key staff with the right knowledge and confidence to assess vulnerability and initiate appropriate safeguarding
  • give key staff insight to victims’ needs and dispel common myths
  • equip key staff working in the night time economy with the knowledge to identify potential sexual predators and confidence to take positive action
  • create a culture of zero tolerance to sexual predatory behaviour
  • prevent serious sexual violence.

This training has been delivered successfully in other parts of the country, including partners in Gloucester.

Colin Pilsworth, night-time economy coordinator for Cheltenham Borough Council said: “Cheltenham has achieved award winning Purple Flag status for its vibrant, safe and well managed evening and night-time economy. This training for people working within the licensed trade will supplement existing mandatory safeguarding training for taxi and private hire drivers in Cheltenham, ensuring that our town centre remains a safe place for all visitors, day and night.’’

Cllr Andrew McKinlay, cabinet member for development and safety, says: “I believe that ensuring that Cheltenham has a safe town centre plays a key part in the success of our night time economy, and is vital for the town’s future economic wellbeing.

“People working in the night time economy are on the front line when it comes to maximising safety for their customers, and they play a key part in keeping the town centre safe.

“This training will help them to be more confident in addressing potential safety issues, and I would encourage all town centre businesses and staff to take part in this training.”

Staff from Cheltenham venues can attend this valuable, free of charge training on:

Monday 15 January from 6pm-7.30pm at the University of Gloucestershire’s Francis Close Hall Campus, Swindon Road, Cheltenham (GL50 4AZ).

Please notify Linda Farrall from the University Students’ Union ([email protected]) if you wish to attend. There are a limited number of places which must be pre-booked with the name of the person attending and the venue or organisation they are representing.

Parking is free after 5pm on campus but is limited.

For media enquiries, contact: Laura Carter, communications officer, telephone 01242 264154, email [email protected]