New findings from Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I reveal that almost two-thirds (64%) of the UK’s public says personal safety is front of mind when deciding to go on a night out – with as many as 81% of women who visit pubs, clubs and bars reporting that they consider their safety when getting home, and 63% of females say they plan their route home before even heading out.
With the cost-of-living crisis and surging energy prices, people are looking for any way to save money when it comes to a night out, and many are reassessing the ways they travel to and from nights out, with 1 in 5 (20%) women altering their behaviour by walking more (61%) and taking fewer taxis (49%). Over a third, (37%) of women said that if they had access to a personal safety app, like WalkSafe, which features a crime map, live location tracking, close contact notifications, and an SOS button, they would feel safer on a night out.
The study also found that almost two-thirds (63%) of women were likely to plan their route home before heading out, and more likely to visit a night-time venue if it had measures to improve women’s safety. The findings also show that 53% of women were more likely to visit a venue that has anti-harassment and discrimination policies, compared to men (35%).
Budweiser Brewing Group’s long-held belief is that every experience with beer should be a positive one. Whether in times of difficulty or celebration it is hugely important for people to be able to come together with friends and loved ones and Budweiser has always been an enabler of this. As a key player in the nighttime economy, Budweiser Brewing Group has a strong platform and route into bars, pubs and clubs which it is leveraging with a number of initiatives to create a more inclusive environment in hospitality venues. With its platform and vision for a more inclusive and enjoyable social environment for everyone, the brewer is delighted to announce a collaboration with WalkSafe, the app that empowers people to go out and plan a safer journey home.
WalkSafe, founded by Ideas Fest panellist, Emma Kay, exists to make the world a safer place and is a mapping app that allows its 500,000+ users to plan their route home using the latest tools and information based on police data, whether that’s a live incident or a warning about a lack of streetlights. Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I and WalkSafe+ understand that everybody has the right to feel safe, wherever they are and in any situation. The cost of living crisis is not an excuse to jeopardise Britons’ safety and this collaboration and app will help users make informed decisions about their personal safety.
Brian Perkins, President, Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I said:“At Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I we see it as our personal responsibility and purpose to make every experience with beer a positive one. We are therefore proud to be collaborating with WalkSafe+, to promote digital tools which address issues which disproportionately affect women and vulnerable groups. We are committed to an inclusive environment in hospitality, which brings benefits to communities and businesses alike.
We recognise the role we play in the night-time economy, and have a responsibility to both our customers and consumers to empower people to enjoy their nights out safely.”
Emma Kay, Founder, WalkSafe said: ‘We are excited to be collaborating with Budweiser Brewing Group, to help support our mission to make the world a safer place, giving our users the opportunity to put their personal safety first. WalkSafe+ is an app that should not have to exist, however, research shows that personal safety is an issue that affects everyone,
WalkSafe+ encourages people to take precautionary measures to avoid crime, rather than reactionary measures when they find themselves in an unfortunate situation. We want everyone to be able to enjoy their night out, but to do so as safely as possible.”
