Interview with Purple Flag Programme Manager Sarah Walker

October is #MonthOfPurple where places who hold the Purple Flag status are celebrated. Several towns and cities where CNI Network have local projects are holders of Purple Flag. We asked Sarah Walker (pictured above far right with Watford Street Angels), the Programme Manager for Purple Flag and one of CNI Network's Board of Reference, a few questions on Purple Flag:

What is Purple Flag?
​

• Purple Flag’s aims are to raise the standard and broaden the appeal of town and city centres at night.
  
  
• Purple Flag is the benchmark for good night time destinations. Town and City centres that achieve a Purple Flag will be those that are safe, diverse, vibrant, appealing, well-managed and offer a positive experience to consumers.
  
  

• Purple Flag is the international accreditation scheme and “gold standard” for town and city centres in the evening and at night (ENTE). Places that reach the standards can fly the flag, to the benefit of their image, local perceptions and their local economies 
  
  
• Purple Flag is tried and tested. It has a solid track record of success. Most flag holders choose to stay with the programme in order to continue to experience the advantages it offers
  
  
• Purple Flag enjoys the support of government, industry, key national interests and local communities.
  
  
• Purple Flag is the only UK scheme focussed on the ENTE that sees it in the round; both the negative impacts that need to be addressed and the potential for economic growth, increased conviviality and community enhancement.

 
What benefits does a place gain by holding a Purple Flag award?

Stakeholders believe a Purple Flag can bring the following benefits:

Strong Partnership working relationships
A raised profile and an improved public image
Wider patronage
Increased expenditure
Increased footfall
Lower crime and anti-social behaviour
A more successful mixed-use economy
Stronger Diversification (enticing a wide and varied consumer offering)
Regeneration and Development to an area 
Positive perceptions
 
How do Street Angels (or equivalent) contribute to a town/city receiving a Purple Flag?

They play a positive role as part of the strategic partners working within the NTE in delivering a safe town or city centre The work they provide is outstanding especially around those who are vulnerable after too much alcohol, loosing friends during the night etc.

Would you recommend projects such as Street Angels or Club Angels to a night-time economy area?

Yes we do recommend street angels etc within the Purple Flag programme under the attributes

Any words of support for our volunteer teams who work to keep our places safer?

A massive thank you, as they play such a vital role within the NTE and step in where resources have been cut or disappeared completely. Without them we would not be in the place we are now with many of our towns and cities. The cost saving to the NHS and local authorities as well is huge.