Halifax is once again flying the Purple Flag, as the town has been awarded the prestigious accreditation for the fifteenth year running.
Purple Flag is the gold standard for town centres, like Green Flag for parks and Blue Flag for beaches. The award scheme recognises excellence in the management of the evening and nighttime economy.
Calderdale Council manages the application process for the accreditation, including coordinating with assessors and gathering the information required to demonstrate Halifax’s commitment to a safe and thriving nightlife. With the support of partners, the Purple Flag has now been successfully secured every year since 2010.
The award recognises the town’s blend of entertainment, dining, and culture, with a focus on the safety and wellbeing of residents and visitors in the evening.
Assessors noted key successes in events such as the Starlight Parade and Christmas markets, and their impact on evening footfall. They also commented on the efforts to keep people safe, including the work of the Street Angels, and highlighted the importance of the partnership work with organisations such as Halifax Business Improvement District (BID) and PubWatch.
Retaining the Purple Flag status year-on-year has been a priority for Calderdale’s Community Safety Partnership. The partnership is made up of representatives from Calderdale Council, West Yorkshire Police, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Calderdale NHS, Together Housing and other public and voluntary sector organisations.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Services and Communities and Co-Chair of the Calderdale Community Safety Partnership, Cllr Danielle Durrans, said:
“Halifax has so much to offer, both day and night, with great evening attractions such as the Victoria Theatre, a thriving cultural scene and a varied and extensive events programme throughout the year. I’m delighted that we’ve once again retained our Purple Flag status for Halifax and can proudly fly the flag for a great night out.
“As part of our priority for thriving towns and places we work hard to retain Purple Flag status each year and do all we can to ensure our towns and communities remain safe and welcoming places to visit in the evening and at night. I’m pleased that assessors commented on the strong partnership working in place in Calderdale and how this supports the nighttime economy.”
Superintendent Gary Panther of Calderdale District Police, said:
“We are thrilled that Halifax has retained its Purple Flag status, identifying itas one of the safest places to come for revellers on a night out in West Yorkshire.
“The ability for us to have gained but also maintained this status for 15 years highlights the ongoing commitment and success of all the partner agencies across the district, who continue to work closely together.
“Many residents and visitors come into Halifax to enjoy the variety of retail, entertainment, dining, and culture that the town has to offer in a safe and welcoming environment, which is something that has been recognised for another year.”