Purple Flag for 2018 – we need your views

In 2016 Cheltenham was awarded Purple Flag status in recognition of its excellent evening and night time economy (ENTE) that also promotes the safety and wellbeing of visitors and local residents.

Part of the 2016 award application process was to ask the public for their perceptions of the Cheltenham ENTE. Purple Flag accreditation is renewable annually and to support the 2018 renewal application the council is again seeking the views of residents and visitors through an online survey. The responses will not only help the bid to renew Purple Flag status for Cheltenham, but will also provide a better understanding of how people use and view the town and its night time offer.  No identifying personal data will be requested or collected through the short survey which can be accessed at the following web address www.cheltenham.gov.uk/purple-flag-chelt-survey

Since 2007, Purple Flag status has been awarded to over 70 towns and cities in the UK and Ireland. 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.

Councillor Andrew McKinlay, cabinet member for development and safety, said: “We are very pleased to have been accredited with Purple Flag status and hope to once again.

“The accreditation gives national recognition to the fact that Cheltenham, and particularly its night-time economy, is safe, well managed and offers diversity for everybody to enjoy.

“We’d ask anyone who has a view on our night time economy to complete the short survey to help us further develop our night time offer.”

Cheltenham will be submitting its application to renew Purple Flag in October this year.

For media enquiries, please contact: Katie Sandey, communications and web team leader, 01242 264231, email [email protected]

Notes:

The ‘after dark’ economy is worth over £66bn annually to the UK, supporting thousands of businesses, employing 4.5% of the UK workforce, and significantly contributing to local economies.

About Purple Flag

The Purple Flag programme was developed following the Civic Trust’s “Night Vision” report in 2006, and is now managed by the Association of Town & City Management (ATCM).

Purple Flag is:

• An accreditation process similar to Green Flag Award for parks and Blue Flag for beaches. It leads to Purple Flag status for town centres that meet or surpass the standards of excellence in managing the evening and night-time economy.
• A comprehensive set of standards, management processes and good practice examples designed to help transform town and city centres at night.
• A research, training and development programme, to help towns and cities improve their evening and night-time economy.
• A positive initiative that indicates an entertaining, diverse, safe and enjoyable night out.