Home / Beyond the door: creating safer nights in licensed venues
11th June 2026
Claire Morris, Associate
Good licensing creates safer nights out. But licensing is not just about regulating. It is also about enabling premises to operate in a way that supports the four licensing objectives. And we think safety is an area where we think local authorities and premises can work particularly well together to introduce effective measures easily.
But, of course, the creation of a safe environment takes more than the actions of one premises. It requires a co-ordinated effort between premises and local authorities. In turn this creates not just economic vitality but also public confidence.
Here’s our top ten ‘must haves’ for building a safe night-time economy.
Partnership and information-sharing schemes, such as Pubwatch and Clubwatch (in Manchester we have the Pub and Club Network), Business Improvement District initiatives, radio networks and community safety partnerships help licensed premises work together with each other as well as the police and councils to identify emerging risks, share intelligence and promote safer night-time economies by responding collectively to risks. Even if attendance isn’t a condition on the premises licence, ensure a member of staff knows when they are taking place, goes along and feeds back. They are locally relevant and can provide a good source of free and useful advice (especially if your friendly local licensing solicitors turn up…).
Beyond that, accreditation schemes, such as Best Bar None, demonstrate good management to customers and authorities, not just in relation to compliance, but also the wider scope around staff training and welfare, customer safety and vulnerability management, and customer service and community engagement.
Well-maintained CCTV and accurate incident logs can deter offending, assist investigations, and help identify emerging risks. Premises should review logs regularly to see if there are any patterns of when incidents happen, who is involved, any learning points that can be shared more widely with other premises in the area.
Good security is about customer welfare as much as enforcement. SIA-licensed door supervisors can help manage entry, monitor behaviour, de-escalate conflict, support vulnerable customers and assist with safe dispersal. Even if your licence has no conditioned requirements for SIA door staff, routinely risk assessing the need and the appropriate briefing of SIA staff at the start of their evening contributes to a culture of safety at the premises. The stability of the door staff team, engaging door staff who know the premises and the area, adds another layer of security to the evening.
Venues should have a visible zero-tolerance approach to sexual harassment, predatory behaviour, discrimination and violence, supported by staff training and clear reporting routes. Bystander training, in particular empowers staff to intervene when required without putting themselves or the person at risk.
Signing up to the Women’s Safety Charter, or aligning your premises with its principles, also sends a strong message to customers that the premises is committed to tackling harassment and providing safer environments for women.
The responsible management of alcohol sales provides a key barrier against customers becoming vulnerable during their night out. In addition, premises must have in place clear anti-spiking policies. This may include awareness campaigns, drink /protecting and monitoring procedures, what signs of spiking look like, and, of course, staff training. If someone does go wrong, then staff should be trained in preserving evidence, supporting victims and liaising quickly with police. Customers will feel confident that their concerns will be taken seriously. Premises must share information about concerns regarding spiking. Premises should not be penalised by the police for reporting incidents that occur.
Train staff to identify and manage vulnerability. Vulnerability can come in different forms – signs of intoxication, distress, harassment, exploitation, spiking, domestic abuse, and mental health crises. Clear policies should confirm how best to respond and any escalation procedures. Early intervention can prevent situations spiralling.
It should be clear to customers where they can go to get help, either for themselves or someone else. Many venues now operate welfare or “safe space” procedures for customers who become separated from friends, feel threatened, are unable to get home safely, or require assistance.
An increasing number of venues have signed up to Ask For Angela, which provides a discreet way for customers to seek assistance. Given the vulnerability of persons likely to be using the scheme, ensure all staff are trained and able to provide assistance to those in need – whether that involves assistance leaving the venue, being supported to stay, contacting security or escalating assistance to SIA staff or police.
Dispersal is an ongoing process that typically requires stronger management as the night goes on. A well-managed dispersal policy can reduce conflict, noise and vulnerability by encouraging customers to leave safely, gradually and with access to transport. On a wider scale, problems can occur when large numbers of people leave venues simultaneously, including disorder, transport pressures and nuisance. Councils can work with operators on staggered closing times, dispersal policies, taxi management, wayfinding and public transport planning. Talk to your local police licensing officer if you feel the premises and its vicinity would benefit from operating a longer dispersal period.
Customer safety doesn’t end at the premises’ door. Premises can help customers access licensed taxis by providing QR codes, numbers and information about public transport on their website and at the venue.
We also know that providing WiFi, accessible charging facilities for ‘phones, and assistance contacting friends or family have rescued many an evening. Customer exposure to potential risks and vulnerabilities late at night can also be significantly reduced by allowing them to wait inside comfortably for their lift or their friends to arrive.
Consider whether your premises licence would benefit from an extended closing period after licensable activities have finished, for this purpose.
You can provide your customers with all sorts of additional information and access to support for when they leave the premises. Many premises in Manchester are signed up to the Walk Safe app, which gives you a ‘safety map’ of Manchester. For example, it lets you know where safe spaces are around Manchester; which venues are known to be particularly inclusive; the safety facilities are available at premises (such as charging points, WiFi, Ask Angela).
It also allows you to share your location and journey with trusted contacts; it has an SOS button; it allows you to see what others say about venues and report safety related issues in the area such as poor street lighting, large crowds gathering and so on.
Clearly night-time safety is not achieved through a single measure, but through the consistent application of good practice throughout the evening. By remaining vigilant, supporting staff, and putting customer welfare at the heart of operations, licensed premises can play a crucial role in a creating safe and enjoyable- and ultimately thriving – night-time economy. if you need advice on keeping your staff and customers safe, contact the licensing team at Kuits on [email protected], or at 0161 832 3434.