BRISTOL CITY CENTRE GAINS TOP NATIONAL AWARD FOR THE SECOND YEAR
Monday, 14th November 2011
Bristol City Centre has been awarded, for the second year, the prestigious national Purple Flag as a well-managed and vibrant place to visit and enjoy. The award followed a joint bid by Bristol City Council, Avon and Somerset Constabulary and Destination Bristol.
The Purple Flag Award scheme is awarded by the Association of Town Centre Managers. The award recognises the wide choice of entertainment and leisure attractions and the huge range of restaurants, hotels, bars and clubs and the strong partnership working towards making the city centre safer. A recent inspection of the city centre established that standards have been maintained and improved.
"Winning the award again shows that we have maintained the progress in our work to ensure the city is a safer, cleaner and a more pleasant place to be in the evenings and at night" said Cllr Gary Hopkins, Cabinet Member for Targetted Improvement for Bristol City Council.
"Bristol was one of the first cities to receive the award last year. As the blue flag shows a high quality beach, the Purple Flag indicates a town centre that is vibrant and welcoming. We are delighted to have retained the award as it clearly demonstrates to visitors that our city centre offers a high standard and wide choice of entertainment with well-co-ordinated services for a great night out, for all ages and tastes" said John Hirst, Operations Director for Destination Bristol.
A wide range of criteria were assessed during the inspection including:
· personal safety,
· cleanliness,
· transport,
· attractiveness and appeal,
· arts and cultural on offer, how welcoming it felt,
· the strength of partnership working.
Cllr Hopkins said "One of the factors the judges singled out for praise last year and which is continuing is the strong partnership working between the council, police, Destination Bristol, and key members of the commercial sector".
"We are working hard across the partnership to reduce crime and unacceptable behaviour. We are pleased that violent crime is falling in the city centre and we are working hard to continue that reduction " said Chief Inspector Cath Johnstone, "This and other activities are practical ways to help both residents and visitors to the centre to feel and be safe - Purple Flag is recognition for the all the hard work done by police and council agencies in the city centre".
For more details on Purple Flag go to http://www.purpleflag.org.uk/ .
For more information on this release contact Vicky O'Loughlin on 07747 460496
