UPDATED: 17 JANUARY 2012
HOW A PUPRLE FLAG CAN CHANGE THE PERCEPTION OF YOUR TOWN CENTRE
The Purple Flag is the national accreditation scheme for town centres at night. It recognises excellence in the management of town and city centres at night, providing significant recognition for people, businesses and organisations such as pubs, clubs and food outlets that deliver the evening economy. The programme is positive, forward-looking and practical, and is designed to benefit all stakeholders who are involved.
At the Purple Flag's heart is a partnership made up of national and local stakeholder groups, and it is supported by central government, local councils of all tiers, the professions, and industry, all of whom are seeking to catalyse a renaissance in the UK's evening offer.
The aim of the Purple Flag is to raise the standard and broaden the appeal of town and city centres at night, changing public perceptions surrounding pubs and clubs resulting in a better night out for all. The framework covers five themes (Wellbeing, Movement, Appeal, Place and Policy) and 30 attributes, which centres must evidence with actions, activities and initiatives that display a commitment to evening economy management. It is a rigorous and holistic framework and one that all place management organisations can use to assess the position and performance of their evening economy.
Since the launch of the Purple Flag in October 2009, 25 centres of varying sizes and types have been awarded flags (including Belfast, Liverpool, Manchester, Halifax, Torquay, Nottingham, Preston and Covent Garden) – this is not just a city or principal council level award.
The Purple Flag awarded its first village, Stockton Heath in Warrington, in the latest round, which should serve as an indicator that the Purple Flag is for all evening destinations that meet standards. Stockton Heath Parish Council was key and instrumental to the success of achieving this award.
Despite its village status, Stockton Heath has around 35 food and beverage venues in an area no larger than 0.55 square kilometres, catering for up to 1,800 visitors on a busy night, which is truly representative of an evening economy destination. The visiting assessors and Accreditation Panel where impressed with the strength of resident support for the Purple Flag, and their considerable involvement in the Purple Flag entry. The working relationship between the local authority, the police and the local pub watch scheme was regarded as excellent, and the Purple Flag evidently had a galvanising effect on the centre’s partnership and will help drive the area forward in future.
In practice, the Purple Flag partnerships deliver a range of activities and services in their centres to benefit all evening economy stakeholders, including: events, information and transport provision, cleanliness and safety, in addition to business development. These activities benefit all stakeholders involved in the delivery of the evening economy and have contributed towards attracting a more diverse crowd (and a greater number of people) out onto the streets at night, inspiring confidence in residents and visitors and improving business mix.
By Daniel McGrath, Association of Town Centre Management