Navan gains purple flag for nighttime economy

Navan has achieved the prestigious Purple Flag status for its evening and night-time economy. Purple Flag is a town and city centre award – similar to the Blue Flag for beaches – which aims to raise the standard and broaden the appeal of town and city centres between the hours of 6pm and 5am.  Towns awarded the Purple Flag are recognised for providing a vibrant mix of entertainment while promoting the safety and wellbeing of visitors and local residents.

Since 2007, the programme has awarded the Purple Flag status to over 65 towns and cities in the UK and Ireland. Purple Flag accredited towns have all reported a consistent increase in footfall and a decrease in crime within the evening and night-time economy. The Purple Flag programme is managed by the Association of Town and City Management (ATCM) which works alongside the Purple Flag Advisory Committee - a partnership of key stakeholder groups.

Navan has been awarded Purple Flag accreditation for showcasing a number of key initiatives to create awareness and promote what the town has to offer from 6pm to 5am. The award is in recognition of the immeasurable effort on behalf of Navan Chamber of Commerce, Meath County Council, the corporate/business sector, community and media.

Donna Farrell, President of Navan Chamber of Commerce said: “Navan Chamber is very proud to have been part of the hard working group that help secure the Purple Flag accreditation. It’s a wonderful achievement for businesses, the night time economy and the wider community.

She continued: 'This award is an endorsement of how hard our excellent Cafes, Restaurants, Bars and Nightclubs work in Navan to maintain and improve the high standards offered to their patrons.

'Navan Chamber looks forward to continuing our close working relationship with all businesses in the town and utilising this prestigious Purple Flag award in the promotion of Navan as a vibrant, clean, family friendly destination, day or night.”

Jackie Maguire, Chief Executive, Meath County Council said: “Meath County Council is delighted to be a part of the thirteenth round of the Purple Flag programme in partnership with Navan Chamber of Commerce. This partnership played a pivotal role in achieving the accreditation - a fantastic initiative that recognises Navan’s efforts to promote a clean, welcoming and safe night time environment.”

Shanaaz Carroll, CEO of the ATCM said: 'There are now almost 70 towns and cities across the UK and Ireland who are proudly flying the Purple Flag after working hard to gain accreditation. The award is not just about safety, but also the vibrancy and diversity of the evening and night-time offer — this can only be achieved by people working together and across the country we are seeing some amazing examples of this type of partnership working.”

Philip Kolvin QC, Chairman of the Purple Flag Board said: “The sustained growth of the Purple Flag initiative is highlighting the important challenge of creating a balanced, safe and vibrant night-time offering. Each area achieving this award has displayed how local organisations working together in partnership with the public can create positive and innovative outcomes. It is inspiring to witness the ongoing diversity of efforts from all accredited towns; old and new alike.”

Navan will officially receive the Purple Flag accreditation along with Carrick-on-Shannon, Cork and Swords and five towns who have had their status renewed at an awards ceremony on the 3rd November in Guildford, Surrey.

The ‘after dark’ economy is worth over £66bn1 annually to the UK, supporting thousands of businesses, employing 4.5% of the UK workforce2, and significantly contributing to local economies. This series of events intends to capture people’s imaginations, change perceptions and encourage people to do something different with their evening in a variety of locations.

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.

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.

Towns already with Purple Flag Status:

Aberdeen

Angel Islington

Armagh

Aylesbury Vale

Ballina

Bangor

Basingstoke

Bath

Bournemouth

Bray

Bristol

Bury

Camden

Canterbury

Carrick on Shannon

Chelmsford

Clerkenwell - Islington

Colchester

Cork

Derby

Derry - Londonderry

Dublin

Dunfermline

Ennis

Enniskillen

Galway

Gants Hill (LB Redbridge)

Guildford

Halifax - Calderdale

High Wycombe

Hull

Ipswich

Kettering

Killarney

Kingston

Leicester Square - London

Lincoln

Liverpool

Maidstone

Mansfield

Mullingar

Navan

Newbury

Newcastle under Lyme

Newry City

Nottingham

Oxford

Preston

Salisbury

Sheffield

Sligo

Solihull

Southend

Stockton Heath (Warrington)

Swansea

Swords

Torbay Towns

Victoria (Westminster)

Waterford

Watford

Westport