Bath Secures Seventh Purple Flag

Bath’s evening and night time economy continues to flourish as a vibrant mix of entertainment and hospitality, while promoting the wellbeing of visitors, students and local residents, with the city receiving its seventh Purple Flag accreditation.

Awarded by ATCM (Association of Town & City Management), Purple Flag status is granted to town and city centres that meet or surpass the ACTM’s standards of excellence in managing the evening and night time economy. The ATCM assessors were impressed by the amount of event activity and evening initiatives in place within the city, and also the strong partnerships between the Bath Business Improvement (BID), B&NES, local police and other agencies working together.

Assessors were also impressed by the BID’s ambition to bridge the gap between day and night time economies, which will have a further positive impact on performance within the night time economy.

Louise Prynne, Chief Executive of the Bath Business Improvement District said “Bath has consistently delivered a well-managed night time economy for the benefit of business, residents, visitors and students, and the reputation of Bath as a whole. However, the challenge of Purple Flag is to keep that high standard and indeed to improve year-on-year. That we have succeeded in securing Purple Flag status for a seventh year is testament to the combined efforts of all involved, and indeed the businesses of Bath that work so hard to ensure a compelling, vibrant and safe experience.

“This Purple Flag Award re-enforces Bath’s reputation as a world class destination. With the evening and night time economy contributing over 25% of a city’s economic activity, the greater impact we can have to support businesses operating in this sector the better job we are doing for our levy payers. 

Bath’s seventh Purple Flag accreditation was confirmed last week. The closely integrated Nightwatch scheme co- ordinated by the Bath BID, supports all organisations working in Bath’s night time economy.