Bristol city centre has secured a prestigious national Purple Flag award for the third year running for being a safe, well-managed and vibrant place to visit in the evening.
The award, made by the Association of Town Centre Managers (ATCM), recognises the city centre’s wide choice of entertainment and leisure attractions, restaurants, hotels, bars and clubs along with the strong partnership between organisations working towards making it safer.
Bristol was one of the first cities to gain this award. The award was made following an application by Bristol City Council, Avon and Somerset Constabulary and Destination Bristol.
Among positive improvements recognised during the last year were:
- Reduction in crime and anti-social behaviour, (violence attacks are down by 5%)
- Increase in visitors numbers and a range of highly-successful events to attract them including See no Evil, the Harbour Festival and the Olympic torch relay
- An increase in the number of visitors and residents who say they feel safe
- New safety measures, including more investment in improved lighting and CCTV coverage and joint work on ensuring licensees keep to their conditions
- Increase in practical information for visitors including, in particular, Destination Bristol’s highly successful www.visitbristol.co.uk
- Opening of several new restaurants
- More training for bar staff in promoting responsible drinking and for taxi drivers to help meet customers’ needs including those with disabilities.
Mayor George Ferguson said: “Bristol city centre has so much to offer residents and visitors and I congratulate all those who have worked hard to win Purple Flag status for the third year running.
“I am keen to build on this achievement to make the city centre an even more attractive place to live
, work, visit and do business. This is why I want to make the city centre car-free one Sunday a month to attract more people into the city as part of my campaign to make Sunday special.”
Destination Bristol operations director John Hirst added: “Bristol is very proud to receive the award once again as we continue to improve our overall offer.
“Purple Flag indicates a city centre that is vibrant and welcoming. We are very keen to demonstrate to all who visit our city centre in the evening and night time that we offer a high standard and a wide variety of entertainment, and attractions, all in a well-managed environment.”
Bristol attracts almost half a million overseas visitors a year who stay at least one night, and in 2009 was nominated by DK Eye Witness Travel as one of the top 10 best cities in the world to visit for a short break. The visitor economy is worth an estimated £1bn a year to Bristol’s economy, supporting almost 20,000 jobs.
