Five new towns and cities across the UK have been recognised for helping people have a great night out, by being awarded Purple Flag status.
The successful towns and cities: Aberystwyth (the first in Wales), Lincoln, Ipswich, Sheffield, and Southend have all been acknowledged as exemplary in providing a welcoming town or city centre for evening visitors. The five towns and cities were considered to be appealing, diverse in its entertainment offering, and high scoring for the services they provide.
The Purple Flag award is backed by government, police and business, as well as being sponsored by Diageo GB. Successful towns and cities offer safe ways for visitors to travel home, provide a good mix of venues and are appealing after dark.
The visible police presence, evening safety wardens and taxi marshalls in Lincoln was commended for giving a clear sense of security. Both Ipswich and Sheffield were recognised for their provision of appropriate late-night public transport, while Southend and Aberystwyth were commended for their pubs and bard along the promenade.
Purple Flag claim that towns and cities awarded the Purple Standard benefit from more visits, lower crime and anti-social behaviour and improved perceptions of centres.
Chairman of the Purple Flag Board, Philip Kolvin QC, says: “Creating a welcoming, inclusive and appealing night time economy is a major partnership endeavour, and the five new towns which have been awarded with the Purple Flag accreditation have worked tremendously to achieve theirs.
“Today’s newly-awarded towns and cities join 25 other Purple Flag holders across the UK, who’ve met and continue to maintain the high standards required,” Kolvin continues. “I hope that as the scheme becomes increasingly synonymous with night time inclusion and enjoyment, more cities and towns in the UK will be encouraged to raise their standards and join the now 30 towns and cities that are already accredited.
“Also as this year has seen the first Purple Flag to be achieved in Wales I hope there will be more to follow.”
The five newly-accredited towns and cities will have their new Purple Flag status formally recognised at an awards ceremony taking place in Bristol on 3rd July 2012.
Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielmorris/2815732040/sizes/o/in/photostream/
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