BevGARDien® Joins Spike Aware UK & West Midlands Police to Champion Student Safety in Birmingham

Recent Saturday evening around Freshers

George and Will Rowley of BevGARDien® visited the University of Birmingham with Colin and Mandy from Spike Aware UK, as guests of the local campus policing team. Together, they toured popular student and community venues including The Goose at the OVT and Stonegate’s Pear  distributing BevGARDien® eco-friendly anti-spiking drink covers and engaging directly with students, bar teams, and locals about nightlife safety.
The atmosphere was upbeat and engaging. Students were curious about how simple protective actions can make nights out safer. Many shared first-hand stories of suspected spiking incidents, highlighting why visible safety measures and ongoing education remain so important.
Bevgardien team at Birmingham NUS showing students anti spiking covers

A Collaborative Approach to Safer Nights Out

The Birmingham initiative underlined BevGARDien®’s ongoing commitment to safer social spaces, bringing together police, students, and hospitality partners in a shared goal: prevention through awareness and action.
Spike Aware UK, led by Colin and Mandy, continues to play a vital role in public education, ensuring people understand both the dangers of spiking and the support available. Their partnership with BevGARDien® transformed the evening into a dynamic blend of education, dialogue, and practical tools that empower students to take control of their safety.
West Midlands Police at Spike Aware & BevGardien joint event anti spiking drinks covers at NUS Birmingham
Spike aware team showing students Bevgardien anti drink spiking covers

“We had some great conversations with licencees, stewards, students and the general public about the dangers of all forms of spiking,” said Spike Aware UK.
“Sadly, a few that we spoke to had been victims of spiking in the past, but were delighted to support our campaign to increase safety.”

BevGARDien® showcased its Anti Spiking Drinks Cover an innovative, FSC-certified, paper-based drinks cover designed to protect open vessels while reducing single-use plastic and metal foil waste. Produced using water-based inks, adhesives, and varnish, the device merges sustainability with safety and doubles as a customisable awareness platform for sponsors and venues.

“The energy and openness from students and venues in Birmingham was outstanding,” said George Rowley, Founder of BevGARDien®.
“Working alongside Spike Aware UK and the West Midlands Police inciative showed how collaboration drives change. These real conversations help protect people while encouraging sustainability in hospitality.”

Supporting Responsible Venues

One standout success from the evening was the engagement from the University of Birmingham bar, which already lists NV® Absinthe through LWC Drinks, one of the UK’s leading drinks wholesalers.
The venue has now confirmed it will take advantage of  BevGARDien®’s current offer three cases of NV® Absinthe supplied via LWC Drinks, accompanied by complimentary BevGARDien® anti-spiking covers and posters for student safety use throughout the term.
This reinforces BevGARDien®’s practical approach to partnership: enabling venues to adopt protective measures while maintaining efficient, eco-conscious operations.

Will Rowley, Visual Design Lead at BevGARDien®, commented:

“When student bars engage with BevGARDien®, safety becomes part of the experience rather than an afterthought. We’re helping make anti-spiking awareness a visible, everyday habit not just a campaign headline.”

Police Partnership and Student Confidence

The initiative formed part of West Midlands Police’s wider effort to promote student safety through visible outreach and partnership working.

“We want students to feel confident and safe as they enjoy everything Birmingham has to offer,” said Chief Inspector Amanda Thompson.
“Our officers are here to support them, whether they’re out enjoying the nightlife or settling into their new homes. We’re working with our partners to make sure venues are operating safely and responsibly, and that students know where to turn if they need help.”

This collaboration exemplifies how industry innovation, public service, and community advocacy can work hand-in-hand. By bringing BevGARDien®’s practical tools into real venues, West Midlands Police and Spike Aware UK helped amplify the message: safety is everyone’s responsibility.

Continuing the Mission Nationwide

The success of Birmingham builds on BevGARDien®’s expanding partnerships across the UK from Royal Holloway and Keele to Harper Adams University and Imperial College London. Each university connection strengthens the shared mission to protect students and promote responsible nightlife.
Through collaborations with LWC Drinks, the NUS, and advocacy groups such as Spike Aware UK and WWF, BevGARDien® continues to champion a holistic approach:
Safety • Sustainability • Social Responsibility.

“We’ve spent 25 years building authentic brands with responsibility at their heart,” George Rowley concluded.
“BevGARDien® carries that legacy forward combining innovation with purpose, to protect people and the planet, one drink at a time.”

BevGardien & Spike Aware UK teams discussing future plans to stamp out drink spiking

A Shared Vision for Safer, Greener Nights Out

BevGARDien®’s presence in Birmingham reflected more than product innovation it demonstrated leadership through action. By uniting with Spike Aware UK and West Midlands Police, the brand showed how businesses can play a meaningful role in public safety.
As BevGARDien® continues its rollout across UK universities, hospitality groups, and local communities, the message remains clear: prevention is protection. And with sustainable solutions like BevGARDien®, that protection can also protect the planet.

Join the Movement

Be part of a growing community making nightlife safer and more sustainable.
Learn more about BevGARDien®’s mission
Discover partnership opportunities
Support Spike Aware UK

#BevGARDien #SpikeAwareUK #WestMidlandsPolice #UniversityofBirmingham #NVAbsinthe #LWCDrinks #StudentSafety #SaferNightsOut #EcoInnovation #DrinkSafety

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