Credit: Bristol City Centre BID
Everyone deserves a night out where they feel safe. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. That’s why Bristol City Centre BID, in collaboration with Avon & Somerset Police, is set to expand its ‘Safe Space’ pilot at the end of this month – providing services that include emotional support, city resources and basic facilities like phone charging and first aid.
Set for Friday, January 31 and Saturday, February 1, the mobile unit will be a secure area where vulnerable individuals can seek help. Stationed near Baldwin Street’s Alcohol Recovery Centre (ARC), the overarching aim is to reduce Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG)-related incidents. It will also assess the potential for a permanent service during busy weekend nights.
Feedback from the first pilot in December revealed a clear need for such a service, with users citing various benefits—from a secure spot to wait for a taxi or support to be reunited with friends or family, feeling lonely or lost in an unknown city, to assistance with unexpected issues like broken shoes.
Credit: Bristol City Centre BID
Vicky Lee, Director of Bristol City Centre BID, said: “This initiative reinforces our dedication to fostering a safer, more welcoming nightlife environment in central Bristol. We are inviting the community to come together to trial a safety hub where we can take care of people who find themselves needing support on a night out. By providing a welcoming space, we hope to be able to signpost services and support where required working in partnership with the police.”
The second pilot will run new hours on the first pay weekend post-Christmas and opening weekend of Bristol Light Festival. Operating from 6pm to 2am on Friday and 4pm to 2am on Saturday, the expanded service aims to reach even more people. Bristol’s nightlife staff and security teams are encouraged to share information about the service and direct those requiring help to the location.
Credit: Avon & Somerset Police
DS Emily Welch of Avon and Somerset Police, said: “We’re proud to continue our partnership with Bristol City Centre BID for this important project. Building on the encouraging results of the first trial, we’re confident this initiative will provide valuable support and enhance the work of our team on the ground in the city centre at peak times.
It’s not the first Bristol initiative aimed at supporting women on a night out. Previous campaigns like Bristol Rules, Women’s Safety Charter and It’s Not OK have sought to tackle issues such as sexual harassment. Bristol Nights has even offered free sexual harassment training for all night-time economy workers in the past.