Perth is celebrating today after learning it has achieved the prestigious Purple Flag status for its evening and night-time economy (ENTE). Purple Flag is a town and city centre award – similar to the Blue Flag for beaches – which aims to raise the standard and broaden the appeal of town and city centres between the hours of 17:00 & 05:00. Areas awarded the Purple Flag are recognised for providing a vibrant and diverse mix of dining, entertainment and culture while promoting the safety and wellbeing of visitors and local residents.
Since 2007, the programme has awarded the Purple Flag status to over 65 towns and cities in the UK and Ireland. Perth is only the second city in Scotland to achieve this status. Purple Flag accredited areas have all reported a consistent increase in footfall and a decrease in crime within the ENTE. The Purple Flag programme is managed by the Association of Town and City Management (ATCM) which works alongside – a partnership of key stakeholder groups backed by Government, police and businesses, as well as the UK sponsors Diageo Great Britain.
Perth & Kinross Council’s City Centre team have been working with local businesses and venues, external stakeholders such as Police Scotland and colleagues across the Council to gain this award. Gaining this accreditation is one of the key steps in helping to deliver the vibrant evening economy envisaged in the city plan and also supports the city’s bid for City of Culture Status.
Shanaaz Carroll, CEO of the ATCM said: “There are now almost 70 towns and cities across the UK and Ireland who are proudly flying the Purple Flag after working hard to gain accreditation. The award is not just about safety, but also the vibrancy and diversity of the evening and night-time offer — this can only be achieved by people working together and across the country we are seeing some amazing examples of this type of partnership working.”
The Council’s Enterprise and Infrastructure Convener, Councillor John Kellas said: “Perth’s evening and night-time economy is continuing to develop all the time and we already have an exciting offering in terms of restaurants, bars and entertainment activity in the city centre. This award can only help to strengthen the commitment of the Council and city centre businesses to delivering a vibrant and diverse ‘after dark’ economy in a safe and welcoming environment.”
Perth will officially receive the Purple Flag new accreditation along with Sutton Coldfield and a further three towns and cities, Bristol, Derry-Londonderry and Enniskillen who have had their Full Renewal status renewed at an awards ceremony which will take place on the 30 June 2016 at the ATCM Summer School 25th Anniversary dinner and Purple Flag Awards in Croydon. A further 11 areas also received an Interim renewal accreditation.
Source: City of Perth
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