City pushes national scheme to fly the flag for fun and safety

The city is trying to join the likes of Bath, Birmingham and Covent Garden in London, which all have “purple flag” status. The promoters hope the flags will one day be as well known as blue flags for beaches.

A number of organisations, including Humberside Police, Hull Business Improvement District and Hull PCT, are joining forces to submit a bid, with the result depending on a visit to the city by two assessors and the judgement of a panel of industry experts.

The Association of Town Centre Management, which has 600 members across the country, runs the competition and insists it isn’t a “tick-box” exercise.

Project manager Daniel McGrath said: “It is a multi-stage process which takes between three and six months.

“After the submission of documentation, we send two assessors to make a full overnight assessment and that then goes before a panel of industry experts.

“Anecdotally there’s been quite a lot of positive feedback, going through the submission process brings partners together and helps them develop strategies to improve the night time economies.

“We have seen perceptions of places that have the flag improve. Hopefully it will help bring people out on the streets and diversify the offer.

“It is about a different demographic, not just 18 to 24-year-olds.”

Hull’s submission will be entered in the next round which starts in January.

The scheme launched in 2009 and has the support of the Home Office. It costs between £1,250 and £2,500 to enter.

Kathryn Shillito, from Hull BID, said: “We want to make Hull city centre the place to go day and night. This can be achieved through continuing the good management of night-time areas, not just about licensed premises.

“The application considers things like transport and street cleaning, whilst encouraging venues to offer something a little bit different to do, such as a comedy evening or live music event, rather than just providing a drinking environment.

“It’s about pulling together all the interests in the area to make sure it is a vibrant place to visit.

“A huge amount of really good work has already been done.

“Events like Yum! Hull BID’s Food Festival, the Freedom Festival and Sky Ride are making Hull City Centre an attractive place to visit and anti-social behaviour in the night-time economy is decreasing, showing that we are carefully managing and developing the appeal of the night-time economy.

“As the Purple Flag becomes more nationally recognised it is going to be a quality standard to be used in all our communications and tourism and marketing material.”

Chief Inspector Barry Longstaff said: “Hull city centre is becoming a safer place to socialise with the introduction of various initiatives to tackle those who cause disorder and commit crime.

“This has been highlighted by the successful roll out of Drink Banning Orders to prevent regular trouble makers from returning and the issuing of red cards to anyone given a Section 27 under the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 and directs them to leave the Hull City Centre Safer Entertainment Zone.

“Along with partner agencies we are utilising all our powers to create a safe environment in which the public can work, live and play.

“The application for the Purple Flag shows we are committed to putting the city on the map as a fantastic place to visit and supporting businesses and the local economy by encouraging more people to socialise in Hull.”

Festival points way to future

Events like Freedom Festival have helped tackle negative perceptions about the city centre, and it is hoped initiatives, like the Hull Trinity Music Festival, will get more people to enjoy a relaxed night out.

Around 300 acts are already lined up for the festival which takes place in seven pubs and bars and 700-year-old Holy Trinity Church over the weekend of September 30 and October 1 and 2.