Making Our Nights Safer: Coventry’s Role in the Women’s Night Safety Charter
At Coventry BID we believe our city’s night-time economy should be vibrant, inclusive and — above all — safe for everyone. That’s why we’re proud to support the West Midlands Women’s Night Safety Charter (WMCA)
Find the toolkit below:
WomensNightSafetyCharter_A4_DIGITAL.pdf
Why this matters
The West Midlands region enjoys a rich and thriving night-time scene, with thousands of people working, socialising or simply enjoying our city after 6 pm. But too many women say they feel anxiety or vulnerability out after dark — whether at work, on the street or in venues. This Charter offers a clear, practical way for businesses, venues and organisations to step up and make a difference.
What the Charter asks
The Charter is built around seven key commitments for organisations to adopt:
Champion – appoint a named contact who will drive forward action at your premises.
Communicate – have a staff- and public-facing campaign that shows you take women’s safety seriously.
Support your staff – ensure there are clear routes for staff to report unacceptable behaviour and that the workplace culture supports them.
Support the public – make it obvious to customers or visitors how to report harassment or misuse of space.
Training – provide relevant training and policies so everyone knows what behaviour is expected (and what isn’t).
Recording – ensure staff are trained in how to share information and record incidents properly.
Design for safety – audit your venue or space and make adjustments so risk is reduced and safety enhanced.
What’s in it for Coventry
By adopting the Charter principles, Coventry’s night-time economy becomes stronger, more attractive and more sustainable. When people — especially women — feel safe, they’ll stay out longer, spend more, engage more with our city’s cultural and hospitality offer.
It also sends a signal: that our city cares about the experience of every individual, boosting confidence in Coventry’s brand as a night-time destination.
In Coventry, we’ll be:
Promoting the Charter and sharing the toolkit developed by the WMCA.
Highlighting best-practice examples from local venues who are leading the way.
Supporting awareness campaigns to ensure staff and customers know how to report concerns.
Working with partners to audit spaces and ensure the ‘design for safety’ commitment is realised on the ground.
How you can get involved:
If you run a venue, business or organisation engaged in the night-time economy (or with staff working after 6pm), you’re invited to sign up to the Charter and be part of this positive change.
By doing so, you’ll join a network of responsible businesses in Coventry and the West Midlands committed to raising standards and ensuring our nights are safe for all.
We look forward to seeing Coventry’s night-time scene continue to thrive — and become an even safer place for everyone. If you’d like further details, resources or help in signing up, get in touch with Coventry BID through emailing support@coventrybid.co.uk, and we’ll guide you through.