WORCESTER city centre has been awarded the prestigious national Purple Flag accreditation for its evening and night-time economy (ENTE),
The honour recognises Worcester as a vibrant destination for dining, entertainment and culture between the hours of 5pm and 5am, successfully promoting the safety and wellbeing of visitors and local residents.
To support the Purple Flag application, Worcester BID is delivering Best Bar None accreditation which is a scheme supported by the Home Office and assesses licensed venues, ensuring they are meeting licence conditions and celebrating their successes where they go above and beyond.
Worcester BID has also been working to improve community safety by training businesses in first aid, the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs), and the treatment catastrophic bleeding, as well as installing five new AED kits within late licensed venues around the city.
It has led the accreditation process in partnership with other city organisations Worcester City Council and West Mercia Police.
Sam McCarthy, chief executive for Worcester BID, said: “Purple Flag assesses all areas of the night-time economy, looking at safety measures and how partners work together utilising city resources such as CCTV and the CityNet radio scheme.
“They also look into city enhancements, ensuring a feeling of greater safety. For example, New Street and Friar Street’s festoon lighting recently added by Worcester BID creates a vibrant atmosphere but also adds additional lighting to the area, making it feel safer.”
“Worcester achieving Purple Flag status reassures and builds consumer confidence that our city is a safe and vibrant place.
“It will also help to put Worcester on the map and encourage prospective investors to set up businesses, families to make Worcester their home, and students to select the University as their first choice to study.”
Coun Marc Bayliss, leader of Worcester City Council: “Worcester has a growing reputation as a great destination for shopping, sight-seeing, leisure and much more.
“Purple Flag status confirms our city is a great place for a relaxing, enjoyable and safe night out and provides a great basis for boosting Worcester’s popularity even further.”
Supt Rebecca Love said: “The improvements to local infrastructure such as increased and targeted CCTV, improved lighting and a partners connected radio system has enabled popular venues in and around the city to be attractive to the public, encouraging families and friends to gather and enjoy their time in the city.”
Rachael Mitchell, general manager at Worcester Whitehouse hotel said: “This award is a reflection of the hard work between Worcester BID and the night-time economy businesses which go out of their way to ensure the city is a safe, interesting and engaging environment offering a wide range of services and facilities to not only its own residents, but also customers and visitors from further afield.
Dean Hill, director of Tramps, Velvet and Mode, said: “Achieving Purple Flag, along with the Best Bar none accreditations, supports the positive steps we as licensees and Worcester BID are making to raise the profile of Worcester and make visitors feel safe and have an enjoyable time.”
