Town centre assessment for flag scheme

Inspectors from the Purple Flag scheme visited Mansfield at the weekend to assess the town’s chances.

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

Visited locations included the CCTV control room, White Lion Yard, the new £9m bus station/transport hub and Titchfield Park where a bowling match was in progress.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

As part of the visit assessors dropped into venues and chatted with those who work in the night time economy from early on Saturday evening until the early hours of Sunday morning.

They were greeted at the Town Hall by representatives from the organisations involved, and watched presentations by BID Manager Sarah Nelson, MDC Urban Regeneration co-ordinator Mark Fiander and MDC Planning Policy Manager Robert Routledge.

Inspector Neil Williams, of Mansfield Police, said: “They were very impressed with our approach to licensing, especially the front-line licensing group, our links with the MALV and the Last Orders scheme.

“They liked the approach to policing the night time economy with early interventions followed by the policing operation.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Sarah Nelson said: “We felt it went well. Everyone has worked very hard to show what a great place Mansfield is for a night out and to banish the outdated reputation that it has as a place to avoid in the evening. We just have to await the decision now.”

A decision on the application will be made by early June.

Purple Flag judges towns and cities on factors including attractiveness and appeal, cleanliness, safety and the strength of joined-up working to raise standards.

Related topics: