A Northampton shopping centre is among the latest names to throw its weight behind the Commissioner’s Women’s Charter.
Weston Favell Shopping Centre has signed up to Danielle Stone’s workplace pledge that puts women and girls at the centre of safety planning.
The Northamptonshire Women’s Charter was launched in December after the Commissioner’s call to action for businesses to show they are dedicated to listening to the safety concerns of their female colleagues.
Now, 58 organisations in this county are part of a collective drive to take action, create inclusive spaces and take reporting seriously.
Weston Favell Shopping Centre signed up in March to show their staff, tenants and shoppers how committed they are to supporting the safety of women ahead of International Women’s Day on March 8.
Weston Favell Shopping Centre Manager Kevin Legg (pictured) said: “Signing up to the Commissioner’s Women’s Charter is a proud and important step for us at Weston Favell Shopping Centre.
“The safety and wellbeing of our staff, tenants and shoppers is always our top priority, and this pledge reinforces our commitment to ensuring women and girls feel safe, heard and supported in our centre.
“By backing this initiative, we hope all women and girls who either visit or work within the centre feel safe and we pledge to take all concerns of wellbeing and safety seriously. We are pleased to stand alongside other organisations across Northamptonshire in creating inclusive spaces where everyone can feel safe, secure, and respected.”
Signing the Charter also gives employers access to an exclusive Charter Toolkit.
It includes a how-to guide for employers to conduct their own specialist surveys to understand safety changes women want to see, with support from crime prevention specialists from the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner’s office.
Also, there’s free access to bespoke training packages, support for SMEs to create workplace policies that prevent harm and a directory of support.
Danielle Stone said: “Weston Favell Shopping Centre is a such a well-recognised name in this county, and I’m thrilled managers want to sign up to support our ambition to make Northamptonshire safer on their premises.
“We can’t deliver this work in isolation, so it’s great that such a well‑known brand is committed to helping us push this work ahead.
“Thank you to all our signatories for recognising the importance of this work and for lending us their support.”
Commissioner Danielle Stone and Wendy’s Sweet Shop staff member Ewelina
Manager Wendy Hunnisett of Wendy’s Sweet Shop said: “I think it’s brilliant that Weston Favell Shopping Centre has signed up to the Charter.
“I love the Centre. I’ve been shopping here for 41 years, ever since I moved up from London, and I’ve had my shop here for almost seven years now.
“We are an all-female team of five here at Wendy’s and it’s so important to me that my staff feel safe where they work. It’s really reassuring the Centre recognises that.”
Click this link to sign-up to the Women’s Charter Northamptonshire Women’s Charter – Northamptonshire Police & Fire Commissioner
