An alcohol education charity has launched a pilot initiative in a Nottingham nightclub aimed at helping to keep young people safe on their night out. Drinkaware with Nottinghamshire Police and Nottingham Community Protection launched a six month pilot of Drinkaware Club Hosts at Rock City nightclub.
Drinkaware Club Hosts are trained staff who work in bars and clubs to reduce drunken anti-social behaviour and help keep people safe. Working in pairs, the club hosts will have a presence in the venue over the night, talking to customers at the start of the evening when a queue is forming, supporting customers who are vulnerable due to alcohol and ensuring guests leave safely after the venue has closed.
Drinkaware is also working with other partners across Devon, Cornwall and Gloucestershire to test and evaluate the intervention in venues in Torquay, Plymouth, Truro, Exeter and Cheltenham; before a roll-out in other parts of the country.
This follows an initial pilot in Nottingham in 2014 as part of Drinkaware’s Drunken Nights Out campaign, seeking to reduce alcohol related harm in the night time economy.
Elaine Hindal, Chief Executive of Drinkaware, said: “Following a successful pilot in Nottinghamshire last year we are delighted to be expanding and testing Drinkaware Club Hosts in collaboration with police and community partnerships across the region. We are encouraged by the findings from our initial pilot, that indicated that this initiative can help to reduce the number of young adults experiencing drunken sexual harassment and other negative experiences on a night out. If behaviour isn’t acceptable sober, it isn’t acceptable drunk.”
Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Nottinghamshire, Paddy Tipping said: “I fully support Drinkaware’s campaign which was successfully piloted in the city last year. Young women have a right to feel safe and enjoy a night out without sexual harassment or inappropriate attention and I would urge revellers over the festive season to consider the serious impact of their drunken behaviour. Drinking to excess clouds judgement and can result in behaviour that would never normally take place while sober but this is no excuse for unacceptable conduct. The presence of club hosts will be a reassuring addition to our night-time economy in Nottingham.”
And Councillor Nicola Heaton, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, added: “I am pleased that Nottingham is able to continue its partnership with Drinkaware, and proud that Nottingham was one of the cities that piloted the club hosts last year. I am delighted that the club hosts will be working in Nottingham to ensure our night time economy is even more attractive to visitors which is in line with our Purple Flag status.”
