A new platform has been introduced which will ensure staff at Coventry hospitality venues and businesses are trained to deliver a crucial safety initiative for customers.

Ask for Angela is a national scheme in operation at hospitality venues and businesses across Coventry City Centre and helps people to ask for help from staff if they feel unsafe, vulnerable or threatened.

Coventry Business Improvement District (BID) and Coventry City Council have partnered on launching a new online platform which will support businesses operating in night-time economy with ensuring staff are trained and informed.

Ask for Angela isn’t exclusively available to licenced premises, it can be utilised by all businesses, for example visitor attractions, shops and cafes can all adopt the scheme.

The new platform is targeted at employees and businesses will be able to direct staff to the website to learn about the initiative as part of their onboarding process.

Each member of staff will have their own unique login, allowing them to visit the platform, learn about the initiative and return at any time to refresh their knowledge.

Staff will be trained to spot signs of people at risk of vulnerability and how to best manage the situation, with the core of the training being recognising what to do when a customer uses the safe word ‘Angela’.

Pubs, bars, music venues, restaurants and nightclubs operate the Ask for Angela initiative, with participating venues displaying the Ask for Angela vinyl in their window after staff have completed their training.

The scheme is often associated only with women’s safety, however that is not the case and it can also be used by men.

Joanne Glover, Chief Executive of Coventry BID, said: “Everyone should feel safe, secure and protected when they are visiting the fantastic businesses we have in the city centre, whether they are on a date or a night out with friends.

“We are working with businesses across the city to get as many businesses as possible to participate in Ask for Angela. We have a great community in the city’s nighttime economy that puts customer safety as its highest priority.

“The new platform will make it easier than ever before for businesses to train staff and ensure that they are equipped with the latest advice and information.”

Chief Inspector Hamir Godhania, lead for neighbourhood policing teams in Coventry, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Coventry BID, Coventry City Council, and our local businesses for their continued support of the Ask for Angela scheme. Their commitment to safety and wellbeing is vital in helping us create a city centre where everyone feels secure – whether they’re living, working, or enjoying the night time economy.

“Partnership is at the heart of effective policing, and by working together, we can ensure Coventry remains a safe and welcoming place for all.”

Cllr Abdul Salam Khan, Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities and Deputy Leader of Coventry City Council, added: “It’s vital that all visitors to, and staff working in the city centre at any time, should feel safe. At night time, in particular it is important that people have the reassurance that they can turn to someone for support and help when they are visiting our wonderful, bars, clubs and restaurants.

“There is a real partnership commitment to this scheme, and we would love more hospitality venues to be a part of it.” Businesses interested in finding out more about Ask for Angela should contact support@coventrybid.co.uk and licensing@coventry.gov.uk