York has been awarded the prestigious Purple Flag, for achieving excellence in the evening and night-time economy, joining cities, such as Bournemouth, Bristol, Halifax, Oxford and Winchester.
Awarded by the Association of Town and City Management (ATCM), Purple Flag is an international accreditation process similar to the Green Flag award for parks and the Blue Flag for beaches, that strives to help create safe and thriving locations at night for visitors and residents. It allows members of the public to identify town and city centres that offer an entertaining, diverse, safe and enjoyable night out.
Work on securing the accreditation began in September 2019, when proposals were approved to coordinate work with residents, businesses and visitors in the city centre through the development of Purple Flag model, leading to an application for Purple Flag accreditation, and the coordination of the city’s safety advisory group (SAG).
Councillor Keith Aspden, Leader of the council said: “Partnership work is key to supporting York city centre’s night-time economy to be vibrant, accessible and safe.
“It is the challenges and varying needs of visitors and residents that we have sought to address through bringing together those involved in the day time, evening and night time economies, to develop joint plans and make York even safer. This award is a great vote of confidence in that work as well as well as a further boost to our recovery and our credentials as a great and vibrant city.”
Andrew Lowson, Executive Director of York BID commented: “Statistically York is a very safe city, but there is always more we can do. Covid-19 has seen York become a top staycation destination in the UK and in 2021 a third of all visits to the city centre were from local people.
“Its vitally important to city businesses that we continue to make people feel safe and welcome and Purple Flag status shows a great commitment to this”.
Martin Bradnam, General Manager of the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel, York, added: “This is an amazing achievement for the city, and reflects what York is all about – putting our visitors and residents first.
“Having been an active partner, working with the council to achieve this accreditation, I was astounded and very proud to witness the services the city provides to underline the safety of night time economy, from the street wardens, to the River patrol, to the local police, ambulance services and guards at the railway, promoting a dry zone. All are actively helping to support and promote York as a great, safe and family friendly place to visit and enjoy.”
A spokesperson for the ATCM said: “The last few years have not been what anyone expected and we have had to tread new territory in the fight against COVID-19. Purple Flag has been instrumental in reopening policies and strategies with key stakeholders as our towns and cities adjust to the new way of life with the pandemic.
“Highlights in York include active licensing and public health enforcement, a clear commitment and passion for Purple Flag through the partnership, and examples of fantastic initiatives like the ‘My City Centre’ project”
