Our Colchester

COLCHESTER IS FLYING THE PURPLE FLAG IN 2023

Colchester is celebrating as it proudly receives the Purple Flag accreditation, a recognition of its commitment to creating a dynamic, secure, and vibrant evening and night-time economy. Purple Flag – similar to the Blue Flag for beaches – 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 Colchester'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.

The Purple Flag Accreditation was submitted by Our Colchester BID & Colchester Leisure Recovery Board alongside a wealth of programmes focused on the night time economy including the Best Bar None accreditation for individual premises, Ask for Angela, Vulnerability Training and much more.

Key successes in Colchester's Purple Flag submission include the strength of its partnership approach with key partners including S.O.S Bus, Pubwatch, Colbac, City Centre CCTV team, Colchester City Council cleansing team.

Sam Good, Chief Executive of Our Colchester Business Improvement District said “The BID and partners through the Colchester Leisure Recovery Board has been delivering a programme of safety interventions over the past year to ensure visitors and staff feel safe at all times. From our nationally acclaimed Ask for Angela project through to Vulnerability & First Aid Training for premises. The icing on the cake has to be Colchester being awarded the Purple Flag accreditation to celebrate the strength of the partnership working in the City Centre in delivering a safe environment for those using it”

In addition to Colchester, ATCM who awarded the accreditation celebrate 1 area receiving their first Purple Flag accreditation, 2 areas receiving a Full Renewal accreditation, and 11 areas receiving an Interim Renewal accreditation. There are 100 Purple Flag destinations around the globe 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.

Cllr David King, Leader of Colchester City Council, said: "I am delighted that Colchester has been awarded the Purple Flag accreditation for 2023, one of just 100 Purple Flag destinations globally. I congratulate Colchester businesses on this prestigious award, which recognises the hard work and dedication of everyone who works so hard to make our city a safe, vibrant, and enjoyable place to be in the evening and night-time."