Organisations wave flag for Purple recognition

Several organisations have banded together to launch a bid to achieve Purple Flag Status - an accreditation scheme that recognises excellence in the management of town centres at night.

The team steering the Purple Flag work involves representatives from Mansfield Association of Licensed Venues (MALV), Mansfield BID, Mansfield District Council, Mansfield Partnership Against Crime (MPAC) and local police.

Lesley Reece, community safety manager at the district council, said: “We are aware that Mansfield has an outdated reputation for being somewhere to avoid in the evening and we want to prove to everyone that this is definitely not the case.

“There is a wide range of activities to enjoy in a safe and friendly environment and achieving Purple Flag will prove to everyone that this is the case.

“We hope those who already enjoy its theatre, library, heritage, restaurants and leisure facilities will help us raise the flag by telling as many people as possible what a great place Mansfield is.”

Purple Flag is an accreditation scheme that recognises excellence in the management of town centres at night.

It can be seen as the equivalent of the Blue Flag awarded to good beaches.

Organisers said that the positive publicity and increased visitors that result will help create jobs and an increased vibrancy about town.

The application will be submitted to the Association of Town and City Management later this month with inspectors expected to visit in April and a decision made by June.