PCC hails 14th Purple Flag success a 'testament to those working tirelessly to keep night time economy safe and inclusive'
05.02.24 - Merseyside
Emily Spurrell is heralding the commitment of individuals and organisations, working tirelessly to create a safe and fun environment in the city centre, as Liverpool retains its Purple Flag status for a 14th straight year.
The award is a recognition of the city’s commitment to creating a dynamic, secure, and vibrant evening and night-time economy.
Purple Flag – similar to the Blue Flag for beaches and Green Flag for Parks – aims to raise the standard and broaden the appeal of town and city centres between the hours of 5pm to 5am.
This prestigious award highlights Liverpool’s blend of entertainment, dining and culture, all while ensuring the safety and well-being of residents and visitors in the evening and night time economy.
Key successes in Liverpool’s submission include the incredible achievement of hosting the Eurovision Song Contest, the increased funding to support the Street Pastors service, and the fantastic Purple Flag video which captured the spirit of Liverpool beautifully.
Liverpool’s retention was also based on a positive report on the city’s overall night time offer including bars, restaurants, shops, car parks, theatres, signage and public transport.
Liverpool is joined by 100 Purple Flag destinations across the UK, Ireland, Sweden, New Zealand and Australia. This includes world renowned tourist destinations to small market towns.
Purple Flag has represented the gold standard of the management of evening and night time economies for nearly 15 years and 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.
Merseyside’s Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell said: “It’s wonderful to hear that Liverpool has retained its Purple Flag for the fourteenth year running.
“Our city attracts and welcomes visitors from across the world and we already know that it is a brilliant place to visit and spend time. Millions of people every year enjoy a safe night out in our pubs, bars, clubs and restaurants, so it is fantastic to see this being recognised on a national level by a team of independent assessors.
“It is testament to those who work tirelessly to keep our night time economy safe and inclusive, and my thanks go to Merseyside Police and Liverpool City Council who work extensively with our partners to deliver a comprehensive and proactive plan to ensure the city centre is a place for people of all ages and interests to enjoy.
“Through our You’re Safe Here initiative with LCR Pride, we’ve also trained more than 1,000 staff working at 250 organisations to recognise and react to situations where somebody may be feeling insecure or vulnerable – yet another example of the shared commitment to ensuring Liverpool continues to be the best place in the UK to come for a night out.”
Councillor Laura Robertson-Collins, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet member for Neighbourhoods, said: “Retaining Purple Flag status is great news and sends out a strong message that we have a safe and vibrant city centre, catering for hundreds of thousands of people every week.
“There is a huge amount of hard work going in every single day from public agencies and private businesses to make sure people who choose to visit Liverpool have the best possible time while they are here.
“The hosting of Eurovision brilliantly showcased our dynamic offer and we are determined to keep on raising standards and not rest on our laurels.
“A lot of organisations as well as businesses are working together to achieve this and ensure our night-time economy goes from strength to strength.”
Bill Addy, Chief Executive of Liverpool BID Company, said: “I am delighted to see the hard work of every partner in the city centre pay off with the continuation of this status.
“There are many different stakeholders that are committed to the safety of our night time economy, and it is as important for businesses and venues to be as safe as possible as it is for those who travel the length of the country to come for a night out in Liverpool.
“This status does not come by accident, it is the result of this continued commitment and dedication as we work together as a city to focus on how we can always maintain a safe and welcoming night time economy for everyone.”