Aberdeen has retained a prestigious UK award for city centre safety and vibrancy – the Purple Flag – for an unprecedented 11th
year in a row.
The acclaimed award was confirmed for the Granite City – the only city in Scotland to hold Purple Flag status – by the Association of Town & City Management last month.
The renewal process was overseen by Aberdeen Inspired on behalf of its city centre partners and stakeholders.
Purple Flag judges highlighted the city centre’s “blend of entertainment, dining and culture, all while ensuring the safety and well-being of residents and visitors in the evening and night-time economy".
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said: “It is a remarkable achievement for Aberdeen to be the only city in Scotland to hold the Purple Flag – a gold standard for city centre safety and vibrancy – and to hold it for 11 years in a row.
“That is a testament to the hard work and drive by all involved – the city council, Police Scotland, the licensed trade and groups like the Street Pastors - in making the heart of the Granite City a place people want to visit and feel safe and comfortable doing so.
“No one is wearing rose-tinted glasses here and there is, of course, much to be done to make the city centre even better, but retaining the Purple Flag is an outstanding standard-bearer for moving in the right direction.”
The accreditation aims to raise the standard and broaden the appeal of town and city centres between the hours of 5pm to 5am.
Cities and towns awarded the Purple Flag are recognised for providing a vibrant and diverse mix of dining, entertainment and culture while promoting the safety and well-being of both visitors and local residents.
Adrian added that he was proud of this record-breaking achievement in what will be the final year of Aberdeen Inspired’s direct involvement in the Purple Flag initiative in Aberdeen.
“The council has recently chosen to take the role of city centre manager – part of which was responsibility for overseeing and promoting the Purple Flag renewal process – within its own organisational structure,” he said.
“As such, we are now handing the baton for Purple Flag over to our council partner. I am sure they will do an excellent job in ensuring this remarkable run of success in this prestigious scheme continues and that Aberdeen will hold the Purple Flag in the years to come.
“We, along with all the other city centre stakeholders, will give them every support in that.”