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Summary
The Camden Council Licensing Committee met on 7 July 2025 to discuss disabled access to licensed premises and events, and women's safety in the evening and night time economy. The committee was also scheduled to note its terms of reference.
Improving Disabled Access
The committee was scheduled to discuss a report on improving disabled access in licensed premises and events across Camden. The report noted that ensuring licensed venues are accessible and inclusive for all individuals, including those with disabilities, LGBTQ+ communities, and other marginalised groups, is essential for fostering a welcoming environment.
The report stated that under the Equality Act 2010, licensed premises have a duty to make reasonable adjustments to ensure their services are accessible to all, including disabled people. These adjustments might include installing ramps, providing induction loops for hearing-impaired patrons, and offering assistance with seating arrangements.
The report outlined several key challenges that hinder accessibility and inclusivity across Camden's licensed venues:
- Physical access gaps, especially in older buildings
- Inconsistent standards for demonstrating and maintaining accessibility
- Insufficient staff training on disability awareness
- Lack of sensory provision for neurodiverse people1
- Poor communication of accessibility information
- Cultural and linguistic barriers
The report suggested several next steps, including:
- Developing an accessibility guide for licensees and introducing an optional accessibility checklist
- Offering training sessions for licensees and promoting Disability Confident Employer accreditation
- Collaborating with Camden Disability Action and other groups, and launching a Camden Accessible Venue Award
- Including access checks in joint inspections and enabling residents and councillors to flag access issues
The committee was also scheduled to view a presentation on improving accessibility and inclusivity in Camden's licensed venues. The presentation highlighted the legal duties under the Equality Act 2010, practical improvements for Camden venues, and local examples of good practice, such as The Roundhouse.
Women's Safety in the Evening and Night Time Economy
The committee was scheduled to receive an update on activity in Camden's evening and night-time economy, with a particular focus on the delivery of Welfare and Vulnerability Engagement (WAVE) training. These initiatives form part of the wider Women's Safety in the Public Realm Action Plan and reflect the Camden Community Safety Partnership's commitment to tackling vulnerability and improving safety across licensed venues.
The report noted that the council remains a signatory to the GLA's Women's Night Safety Charter, aligning with the UN Women Safe Cities and Safe Public Spaces initiative, and that Camden was recognised by the GLA as a borough showing best practice
in local implementation in early 2024.
The council's Women's Safety Action Plan is designed to ensure that women and girls feel safe in public spaces across the borough, particularly in the night-time economy. In the context of licensing, the plan reinforces the council's commitment to using its regulatory powers to promote safe environments in and around licensed venues.
The report stated that Camden's revised Statement of revised Licensing Policy (2024-29) explicitly references women's safety, including:
- Requiring safety statements from new applicants on how they will safeguard women and vulnerable patrons".
- Use of standardised licence conditions to encourage staff training (WAVE), participation in schemes like Ask for Angela, and provisions for safe transport signage and welfare support.
The Welfare and Vulnerability Engagement (WAVE) training includes learning about Safe Havens, the prevention of drink spiking, and the national 'Ask for Angela' scheme2. The council's ambition is to deliver WAVE training to 60% of licensed premises (approximately 1,020 venues) by the end of 2028.
The report also provided statistics on reported drink spiking incidents in Camden, noting that Holborn & Covent Garden and Camden Town remain spiking hotspots.
The committee was also scheduled to view a presentation on Welfare and Vulnerability Engagement Training and 'Ask for Angela' in Camden, and to review drink spiking awareness posters and materials.
Licensing Committee Terms of Reference
The committee was scheduled to note the Licensing Committee terms of reference3.
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Neurodiversity recognises and respects neurological differences such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and Tourette syndrome as natural variations of the human experience. ↩
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The Ask for Angela scheme is a code-word campaign used in the United Kingdom intended to help people who feel unsafe in bars to discreetly ask for assistance. By going to the bar and asking for
Angela,
a person alerts the staff that they need help with their situation, and the staff will then help them to get home safely by calling a taxi or contacting friends. ↩ -
The terms of reference sets out the responsibilities of the Licensing Committee, including the setting of fees, development of the council's overall objectives and policy in relation to licensing, and receipt of information reports on matters relating to the promotion of the licensing objectives under the Licensing Act 2003. ↩
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