Purple Flag status renewed for Swansea

Swansea’s safe and diverse nightlife has again been recognised with the renewal of the prestigious Purple Flag Award for another year. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The national award, which is assessed by The Association of Town and City Management, requires demonstration of achieving a comprehensive set of standards, management processes and good practice examples designed to help transform a town or city centre’s evening and night time economy. It indicates an entertaining, diverse, safe and enjoyable night out. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Swansea is the only area in Wales currently taking part in the Purple Flag programme. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

In a report, ATCM assessors said: “Swansea is clearly an example of good practice to follow for other areas in Wales that may be looking at Purple Flag programme. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“The initiatives that really stand out for Swansea are the notable achievement of positive media coverage of the night time economy, Purple Flag engagement day, raising public awareness of the Purple Flag programme and the significance of improvement to diversification of the evening and night time economy with new restaurants and cinema opening in the Purple Flag area. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“The level and quality of activity that has taken place over the past year would appear to justify the standards claimed.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cllr Mark Child, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Healthy City and Wellbeing, said “I am delighted we have retained the Purple Flag, but what’s particularly pleasing are the comments about diversification. The partners have been working very hard this last year to raise the profile of the vast range of activities available in Swansea on an evening or night out. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“We all know about Wind Street and the appeal it has to mostly young people. That’s a part of the night time economy, and I’m proud of the work that goes on behind the scenes to keep people safe, with student volunteers, street pastors, the Help Point and more. But what’s great is that other Swansea people are really starting to engage with all the other things you can do in the city centre, like theatre, cinema, gallery openings, live music and family friendly activities, which proves Swansea’s night life has something for everyone. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“I’d also like to acknowledge the local media for wholeheartedly getting behind Purple Flag – their valuable support, as recognised by the assessors, is vital to encouraging people into the city. They, like us, understand its importance for Swansea, with raised profile nationally and the economic benefits of incoming businesses bringing investment and jobs. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“I also have no doubt that retaining the Purple Flag will be a tick in the boxes of potential investors in the redevelopment of the city centre, as a sign of commitment of the Council and other partners to making this a city we are all proud of.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Purple Flag Weekend will be back this autumn to coincide with the first weekend of the Swansea International Festival on Friday September 30 and Saturday October 1. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​