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Newry City has received the news that it has once again been awarded the prestigious Purple Flag accreditation for its Evening and Night-Time Economy (ENTE) something that is especially welcoming considering the past two years of upheaval due to the pandemic.
The award has been welcomed by Newry, Mourne and Down Council, Newry BID, PSNI and local stakeholders.
This award is similar to the Blue Flag accreditation for beaches and aims to raise the standard and broaden the appeal of town and city centres between the hours of 5pm and 5am. Areas which are awarded the Purple Flag are recognised for providing a vibrant and diverse mix of dining, entertainment and culture, while promoting the safety and wellbeing of visitors and residents. The accreditation scheme is led by the Association of Town Centre Management (ATCM) with backing from government, police and businesses and has been attributed to a consistent increase in footfall and a decrease in crime within the ENTE of accredited towns and cities.
Recent years have not been what anyone expected, and businesses have had to tread new territory in the fight against COVID-19. Purple Flag has also been an instrumental part of the reopening policies and strategies for accredited towns and cities, helping to encourage and reassure customers back into town and city centres post lock down.
Newry City has retained the Purple Flag status annually since 2016 with the guidance and input from a dedicated working group. This group will now commence to devise and implement a new action plan to ensure increased footfall is brought back to Newry City centre in the evenings.
On receiving the award, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Deputy Chairperson, Councillor Oonagh Magennis said, “This award renewal is testament to the drive and passion that Newry businesses and stakeholders have for the growth and success of their city. The accreditation has been awarded due an effective and strong partnership, a successful range of infrastructure projects, and the attraction of new significant volumes of business start-up activity. I would like to thank the diverse range of Purple Flag Working Group members for their efforts in not only securing this accreditation but ensuring it is retained.”
Newry Business Improvement District (BID) Managing Director, Eamonn Connolly said, “Newry BID is delighted to have co-ordinated the input from Newry’s hospitality sector in securing the prestigious Purple Flag for Evening and Night-Time Economy excellence. The Purple Flag award reflects the diverse range of offers Newry has and is a key aid in the BID’s marketing initiatives attracting people to Newry City.”
