Several independent retailers have teamed up to offer safe spaces in their stores for bullied children and the vulnerable.
Vas Vekeria, of Kegs’n’Blades in Bolton, began notifying schoolchildren and residents through window displays that they could use his store as a safe space following instances of bullying from a nearby school at the start of February.
He told Better Retailing: “We have several schools nearby and there have been instances where children have had their phone stolen. In others it’s kids in balaclavas causing havoc.
“The victims of the bullying sometimes have walked past the shop before without realising we can look after them while they call their parents. We offer them somewhere to sit and give them a snack and a drink.
“Similarly, you don’t have to be a child. If you’re an adult who’s feeling unsafe or vulnerable, then the store can be a safe place too. We’ve always offered help to those who need it, but it’s the first time we’ve really let the community know.”
Vekeria has since notified other independent businesses in the area, who have joined forces to offer similar support. This includes a bakery, a pub and a Go Local convenience store.
Explaining the support offered, Deepak Pindoria, of Go Local Morris Green, added: “We’ve always been here to offer support to schoolchildren and residents, as these issues have happened over the last 15 years.
“As well as children who have been bullied, we’ve used the shop as a safe space for kids who have lost their parents or people who have suffered medical emergencies.
“Sometimes people might not realise they can walk into a shop during an emergency, though. We’ve got a display in the window now telling them they can. It’s Vas who’s really kickstarted this all off.”
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