Purple flag continues flying for city’s nightlife safety

Swansea’s nightlife scene is keeping the Purple Flag flying over the city for an eighth consecutive year.

It’s one of only two places in Wales that can fly the flag which highlights how visitors can always expect an entertaining, diverse, safe and enjoyable night out.

A partnership of organisations has retained Purple Flag status through 2022. The successful bid highlighted a wide range of reasons why the city centre is the place to be now and in the future.

As a national initiative run by the Association of Town and City Management (ATCM), Purple Flag status rewards vibrant, diverse and safe city centres.

The new bid for accreditation pointed to success stories such as regeneration work in Wind Street, new business openings, safety campaigns and the Enjoy Swansea Responsibly campaign to reinforce key Covid safety measures.

Forthcoming projects to strengthen Purple Flag status are set to include further regeneration, including the opening of Swansea Arena, and extending the city centre ranger service into the evening and night-time economy.

Partners involved in the management of Swansea’s evening and night-time economy include Swansea Council, Swansea BID (Business Improvement District), South Wales Police, Mid & West Wales Fire Service, Swansea Street Pastors, St John Ambulance, Swansea University, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, many city centre businesses and Swansea Bay University Health Board.

Council cabinet member Robert Francis-Davies said: “We’re delighted to retain Purple Flag status. The partnership has worked hard on keeping people safe right through the pandemic – and will continue to do so.”

Russell Greenslade, chief executive of Swansea BID (Business Improvement District), said: “The Purple Flag is a mark of the hard work our city centre hospitality and night-time businesses do to ensure a safe and enjoyable night out; we’re pleased to play our part in this as Swansea BID.”

An ATCM spokesperson said: “Purple Flag has been important to many of our towns and cities who hold the accreditation during lockdown as well as being instrumental in the reopening policies and strategies with key stakeholders as our towns and cities adjust to the new way of life with the pandemic.”