Liverpool city centre features the colour purple this week.
It hosted the national launch of Purple Flag Week (21-29 September) which will highlight contributions the night-time economy make to their communities through a series of events. In Liverpool this will include a treasure hunt across the retail area and events at various night time venues.
Baroness Newlove, the Government’s Champion for Active Safer Communities and Victims’ Commissioner who is this year’s Purple Flag Week Champion, started the week’s events by switching on lights to bathe the Lime Street Piazza in purple light on Saturday night. The switch-on was one of a number taking place in towns and cities across the country which will see castles, cathedrals, fountains and seasides illuminated in purple light.
She was accompanied by the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor Gary Millar, and representatives of the police, the Business Improvement District and city centre businesses. The Lord Mayor raised a purple flag at Chavasse Park.
Liverpool city centre retained its Purple Flag this year and the Association of Town and City Management, which operates the scheme, held it up as an exemplar to others.
The Lord Mayor said:”I am delighted that Liverpool has been chosen to host the national launch of Purple Flag Week. The night-time economy is becoming increasingly important and this week will highlight its significance to communities up and down the country. In Liverpool we have a vibrant and diverse offer for the hundreds and thousands of people who visit the city centre each week and they do so knowing that it is safe and well-managed. We will be using the week to show what is on offer and the contribution it makes to our community
Councillor Peter Brennan, Mayoral Lead for Community Safety said; “The fact that Liverpool has been chosen to host the national launch of Purple Flag week shows that our city centre is being recognised widely as one which is safe, clean and well-managed.
“We have hundreds of thousands of visitors each week in the city centre and thanks to the partnership between the various agencies, businesses and residents they enjoy a vibrant and safe environment.
“We are delighted that Baroness Newlove will visit the city to start the week and see how the night-time economy is managed in our city.”
Baroness Newlove, said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be Purple Flag Week Champion. I believe the scheme is making a positive impact, helping to create better, safer nights out for everyone and in tackling issues such as crime and anti-social behaviour is helping to turn around the perceptions of the night time economies of many of our towns and city centres.
“I am looking forward to the different activities throughout the week and hope that others will see the value in participating in the Purple Flag Scheme.”
Philip Kolvin QC, Chairman of the Purple Flag Board commented, “This is the second year that we’ve run Purple Flag Week, with more and more centres getting involved to showcase the best that our towns and cities have to offer and the important role that the evening economy plays in our local communities.
“Kicking off with the exciting Big Purple Switch On, we expect to see some fantastic celebrations from most of the 42 towns and cities across the country that have already been awarded a Purple Flag accreditation. With the support of government, the police, local businesses and our sponsors Diageo Great Britain, Purple Flag is helping us all to celebrate the quality, diversity and vibrancy on offer in our towns and cities by challenging the negative perceptions of our urban areas at night time.”
