Altrincham Awarded Prestigious Purple Flag Accreditation for its Vibrant Nighttime Economy
Altrincham Business Improvement District (The BID), who produce Visit Altrincham, is proud to announce that the town has been awarded Purple Flag status, recognising its exceptional efforts in creating a safe, diverse, and enjoyable nighttime experience for residents and visitors alike. This achievement highlights Altrincham's commitment to maintaining a high standard of nighttime entertainment, enhancing its overall appeal and contributing to its reputation as a vibrant and thriving community.
Purple Flag – similar to the Blue Flag for beaches – aims to raise the standard and broaden the appeal of town and city centres between the hours of 5pm to 5am. The accreditation is an international accolade granted by the Association of Town and City Management (ATCM) to towns and cities that exhibit excellence in managing their nighttime offerings. The accreditation process evaluates various criteria, including the quality of entertainment, accessibility, safety measures, and collaboration among local stakeholders.
The Purple Flag assessors were particularly impressed by town’s blend of entertainment, dining, and culture, all while ensuring the safety and well-being of residents and visitors in the evening and nighttime economy. Key successes highlighted in Altrincham's submission included the convenience, safety, and availability of multi-option public transport in a single interchange location, the BID partnership initiatives, and the general cleanliness of the Purple Flag area.
Sacha Lord, Nighttime Economy Advisor for Greater Manchester said, “This is a fantastic achievement for Altrincham. The success in securing the Purple Flag accreditation can be attributed to the dedicated efforts of the town’s nighttime economy businesses, the Altrincham Purple Flag Working Group, and the Altrincham BID team who led on the application. Congratulations to Altrincham!”.
The working group is a collaborative team involving Altrincham BID, representatives from Trafford Council, Greater Manchester Police, Transport for Greater Manchester, Bruntwood and the town’s nighttime business operators. Altrincham BID led on the comprehensive application and the assessment which highlighted the town's vibrant nightlife, early evening activity and robust safety measures, all of which played a crucial role in earning Purple Flag status.
"We are thrilled to announce that Altrincham has achieved Purple Flag status, a testament to the hard work and determination of our business community," said Mandy White from Altrincham BID. "This achievement reflects our commitment to providing a safe and enjoyable nighttime environment for everyone, from residents to visitors. We are grateful for the partnership and dedication demonstrated by the Purple Flag Working Group, local businesses, and all those who contributed to this success."
Kate Gerbich, Altrincham BID explained, “Local businesses and establishments have played an integral part in Altrincham's journey towards Purple Flag accreditation. Their commitment to upholding high standards of service, safety, and entertainment has significantly contributed to the town's nighttime appeal”.
