Wolverhampton’s popular late night Safe Haven scheme is to be extended after the city’s BID (Business Improvement District) announced it was investing £95,000 over the next five years into the scheme. The Safe Haven, based at the Epic Youth Café on Lichfield Street, provides a warm and friendly place for people of all ages to wait for a licensed taxi after a night out in the city centre. The facility provides a place of safety for people after a night out where they will be greeted by a friendly face, receive a refreshing drink and be able to wait for a licenced taxi.
The city council has been running the scheme for eight nights over the Christmas period since 2008, with licensing officers and medical experts staffing the facility, but thanks to the BID funding will now offer the safe haven for 40 nights spread throughout the year.
The extra nights include payday weekends as well as big city centre events such as the popular Grand Slam of Darts tournament at the Civic Halls.
The first re-launched BID-funded, city council-run Safe Haven will be open this Saturday (JULY 4) between 11pm and 4am.
Cherry Shine from the BID, said: “The BID is delighted to provide funding and support an extension of the popular Late Night Safe Haven, which the council have delivered for over seven years and we are proud to be able to support a further 32 nights a year.
“We are keen that as many people as possible enjoy a night out in Wolverhampton and that we round off a fantastic evening by getting people home safely.”
Cllr John Reynolds, a BID board member, said: “We’re delighted that this BID funding will enable the council to deliver the safe haven on many more nights throughout the year.
“This should not only reduce the pressure on local accident and emergency departments, but also offer support to local licensed venues as well as assisting in the reduction of night time anti-social behaviour in the city.”
Donna Boden, chairman of the city’s Pub Watch scheme and licensee of the Royal London, said: “This is fantastic news for the city centre, this will be great for customers and licensed venues alike. This initiative is a great example of the city’s partners working together.”
Wolverhampton BID was launched in April 2015. In addition to promoting a safe, clean and welcoming city, the BID will be delivering projects to meet all objectives outlined in its business plan including supporting city centre businesses, city centre marketing and events and addressing the issues of accessibility and parking.
The BID Business plan spans over the next five years and can be found at www.wolverhamptonbid.co.uk
