Purple Flag

Purple Flag is an internationally recognised accreditation scheme similar to the Green Flag award for parks and the Blue Flag award for beaches that aims to reward towns and cities that strive to create safe and thriving locations at night for all users. It was launched in 2009 in the UK and is managed by the Association of Town and City Management (ATCM). Purple Flag is an international accreditation programme

Vibrant, diverse and safe evening and night-time economies do not happen by accident. Innovation, curation, planning and partnership are key elements to creating a destination that serves its all users of between the hours of 5pm and 5am. 

These initiatives are developed in association with those operating businesses at these times, with the Police, City Council and District Watch, with the college and universities and their student representatives and with the resident community.

Discover Canterbury: The Best Night Out In Kent

To celebrate Canterbury’s thriving evening and night-time economy, we teamed up with local businesses to co-create a dynamic new campaign and guide, showcasing the city as Kent’s top destination after dark. From cosy pubs to late-night dining, live music to cultural events, the guide highlights everything that makes Canterbury the place to be.

Explore the guide now on Visit Canterbury HERE, and read our campaign review to see how the city came together to shine.

Canterbury is heading into the 14th year of Purple Flag!

We are incredibly proud to publish comments made by the Purple Flag Assessors panel. Congratulations to EVERYONE involved – you thoroughly deserve this:

• An impressive and continued commitment to safety through the work of the BID and their partners.
• The impact of the Best Night Out Guide and campaign is fantastic, highlighting the breadth and depth of what Canterbury has to offer.
• Engagement through Best Bar None is going from stregth to stregth, now in its thrid year with 33 businesses accredited.
• Canterbury has demonstrated an elevated level of Purple Flag brand communication – great to see the Purple Flag stickers on display in business windows.
• The BID are doing a brilliant job taking on the Business Crime Reduction Partnership and supporting businesses with the radios and DISC system.

The partnership and working group are extremely diverse, strong and committed.

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How is Purple Flag judged?
Purple Flag covers five broad themes that are key to developing and managing successful centres at night. It captures the rounded experience that people want from their town/city centres at night.

• Wellbeing – How safety issues are addressed, regulations that are in place and the perceptions of local people.
• Movement – How transport works, parking, pedestrian routes. how crowds are managed and information available.
• Policy – How local data is collected and used, coordination between local partners and the inclusion of the local community.
• Broad appeal – The choice of different activities on offer including a wide range of bars, restaurants, shops and public buildings.
• Place – The layout of the city centre looking at its design, identity and diversity of local activities.

The benefits of Purple Flag:

• a raised profile and improved public image;
• increased visitors;
• increased expenditure;
• lower crime and anti-social behaviour;
• a more successful mixed-use economy.
• The Purple Flag mark is not only a sign of quality; it’s also a useful marketing tool that promotes confidence in the Canterbury city centre brand.

Purple Flag Logos:

• Download the Purple Flag Logo HERE
• Download the Purple Flag Canterbury Banner HERE

Purple Flag Committee

Canterbury BID brings together members of the following organisations to ensure that ENTE safety is addresses in a joined up manner. Partnership working ensures that our city remains an exemplary city in the Purple Flag portfolio:

Canterbury BID has organised conferences for our Evening & Night Time Economy businesses and has supported ENTE through the pandemic with bespoke marketing campaigns and professional photo shoots to help with reopening publicity. 

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