Southampton wins Purple Flag status

By Sam Pither

14 February 2023

Share

The Business Magazine article image for: Southampton wins Purple Flag status

Southampton has been awarded Purple Flag status in recognition for its evening and night-time economy.

The 12-month accreditation process was led by the city’s business improvement district, GO! Southampton, with support from Southampton City Council, key partners and local businesses.

Awarded by the Association of Town and City management, the Purple Flag recognises measures taken to make the centres of towns and cities safe, diverse, vibrant, appealing, well-managed, and offer a positive experience to consumers during the evening.

Highlights from the submission included the high standard of street cleaning across the city and absence of graffiti and litter, a well-resourced triage facility run by St Johns Ambulance integrated into the night-time economy, and a night-time patrol of the BID area by two personnel on Fridays & Saturdays funded by Government's Safety of Women & Girls at Night fund.

In addition to security measures, Street Pastors, Synergy Security & Hampshire Constabulary also ran various safety initiatives such as safe spaces and pop-up safe zones. Advantages that come with having this status include an improved public image, increased footfall, lower crime levels and opportunity for regeneration & development for the area.

Councillor Matt Renyard, Cabinet Member for a Safer City, said: “To be awarded Purple Flag status is a fantastic accolade and testament to the hard work of the council and partners across the city in making Southampton a safer place to live, work and visit.

“With our varied and vibrant night life, Southampton has so much to offer and we are committed to ensuring that we continue to be a safe destination that people can enjoy with confidence.”

A spokesperson from the Association of Town and City Management (ATCM), awarders of the standard, said: “To hold a ‘Purple Flag’ status has been hugely important to many towns and cities as they adjust to a new way of life after the COVID-19 pandemic and now feel the weight of the cost-of-living crisis.

“The award will be instrumental in broadening the appeal of Southampton, which has excelled in its vibrant and diverse mix of dining, entertainment and culture, while also promoting the importance of the safety and wellbeing of the city’s visitors and local residents.”

Stephen Manion, Executive Director at GO! Southampton, said: “The BID is committed to ensuring the city is a safer place to live, shop and work, so achieving the Purple Flag Award reassures us that our measures are working.

“We are proud that are city is not only a safe one, but welcoming too, and we want to continue providing security, assistance and peace of mind for visitors, students and residents alike.

“Having this status is a fantastic achievement and will help put Southampton on the map as an exciting, thriving and safe place to visit in the evening. We are looking forward to the awards ceremony in Liverpool later in March.”

Featured image provided by Lee Peck Media.

By Sam Pither

Sam is the Regional Editor of Biz News, responsible for both Hampshire and Dorset.

A new recruit to journalism, Sam started writing for the Business Magazine as a freelancer in May of 2022 after completing his degree in English at University College London. His passion for local businesses and ability to tell a story soon caught the attention of the publication’s management team and have led to his meteoric rise.

Sam, who lives in central Reading, takes a particular interest in technology, gaming and food and drink, having been a chef before starting his degree.