The Co-op has become the first retailer to sign up to the Mayor of London’s Women’s Night Safety Charter.
With around 190 convenience stores serving communities up until 10 or 11 o’clock at night across London and Greater London, the convenience retailer has joined the initiative to further support councils, businesses, and to prioritise women’s safety, especially after dark.
The Charter sets out several pledges, in which it will nominate a champion who actively promotes women’s night safety, encourage reporting by victims and bystanders, train staff to ensure that all women who report are believed and responded to, and encourage organisations to design their public and work spaces to make them safer for women at night
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“Co-op operates at the heart of local life and, nothing is more important to us than the safety of our colleagues, customers and communities,” Co-op’s head of risk and compliance, Jenny Alleyne said.
She added: “We follow the principals of the Charter which mean those seeking a safe haven in the Co-op will be welcomed, encouraged to report their concerns and, above all, believed.
“As a convenience retailer, our doors are open late into the night, and we want people to know that Co-op is always a welcome light for women and girls who feel unsafe after dark.”
Amy Lamé, London Night Czar commented: “All women and girls should feel safe working, travelling or going out at night in our city, and we all have a part to play to ensure that is the case.
“I am delighted that Co-op have become the first supermarket to join the Women’s Night Safety Charter, with their chain of stores joining more than 1,200 organisations, including venues, gyms, charities, councils and businesses across London, who have pledged to improve women’s safety,” Lamé said.
It comes as the Co-op has appointed a new chief financial officer, taking over the role from current interim CFO, Mike Hazell.
