Bradford launches Night Charter to make city centre safe

This initiative is the first of its kind in Yorkshire and has been funded from part of the £1.2 million grant given to West Yorkshire following a successful Home Office bid to the Safer Streets Fund.

Elizabeth Murphy, Bradford at Night Director, told GB News: “The charter is very much about showcasing that people are proud to own a business in Bradford and really want Bradford to thrive and to change the perception of what Bradford is.

“We don’t like to talk about 2020 and the damage that it did, but they [hospitality businesses] are in their third year of crisis, so the more that I can do to support these businesses, the better it can be, and the one thing I can do is showcase how brilliant they are.”

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The scheme is unique to Bradford and aims to put the city on the map as leading the way in the hospitality sector by making sure staff have the relevant training to support vulnerable customers and security to promote safety.

Jonny Noble, Manager of Bradford Business Improvement District, the first organisation to officially sign the charter, said: “The visitor economy, the evening and night time economy is massive, it’s the fastest growing economy with leisure.

“I think we’re further than Yorkshire’s first [Night Charter], I think we’re probably one of the country’s first and I’ll be challenged on that quite happily, but it’s just again Bradford setting the way.”

The charter includes zero tolerance of abusive language and behaviour, respect for everybody, the sharing of intelligence and information, encouraging people to use the Walk Safe app, training and 'Pride Beyond Our Door'.

This includes things like keeping the outside premises clean, tidy, and safe; protecting people both inside and outside the premises; advocating responsible drinking and being vigilant to unsafe situations when people leave the premises.

The Bradford at Night Charter follows the development of other schemes spearheaded by Bradford at Night and the Bradford BID including the introduction of the Walk Safe App.

It is free for people to download to identify Walk Safe-accredited venues, locate night marshals and street angels, and enable others to track their evenings out.

“It’s about training, Ask For Angela training, active bystander training, Best Bar None, the Walk Safe App, you can download,” said Jonny Noble, Manager of Bradford Business Improvement District.

“We were one of the first in the world to have the Walk Safe app, and it’s about the venues being welcoming, being friendly, but also about them working together as well.”

The charter also aims to boost the reputation of Bradford as a tourist destination.

Mithun Mistry, Owner of Peacock Bar in Bradford, said: “It [Bradford] had the bad rep from the Bradford riots in 2001 and people still talk about that and it’s been over 20 years.

“It’s not as bad as people think, it’s quite safe.”

Josh McDonald Manager of Al’s Dive Bar in Bradford, said: “It [Bradford] does tend to have a bit of a bad rap but it’s totally undeserved, so hopefully it’s [the charter] getting out there that Bradford is worth going to.”

And for punters, it’s not just the booze that draws them to Bradford bars.

Tommy, who enjoys visiting pubs in the city, told GB News: “It is a good night, it’s the people that make Bradford the night out, not the pubs, if it wasn’t for the people, there would be no pubs.”

Organisers hope the charter will spread to other regions to boost night-time trade for hospitality businesses across the UK.

More information about the Bradford Night Charter and Bradford at Night can be found here - https://bradfordatnight.co.uk/