One of the venues that did demonstrate how the scheme should operate was Hootananny in Brixton, south London. When a female researcher asked for Angela and said she felt uncomfortable, the response was immediate.

“Is everything alright?” the bartender asked without hesitation, before signalling to the manager. Within seconds, our researcher was led to a safe space and was asked: “Is there anything we can help with, or anything you want to talk to us about?”

Similarly, at the White Hart in Drury Lane, central London, staff activated their response protocol when our researcher asked for Angela. The manager, Kristoff, led her outside and even arranged a safe haven at a nearby pub.

“We’re going to keep him inside,” Kristoff told our researcher. “Go to this pub on the right-hand side… Ask for Neville. He’s a friend of mine, he’s the manager over there… Stay over there for half an hour and if you want to come back, come back – we’re going to make sure he’s gone.”