Ennis one of two towns to bid for Purple Flag status

LOCAL campaigners for Ennis to become one of the first locations in Ireland to achieve Purple Flag accreditation are set to travel to Dublin this week to begin the ‘Pathfinder’ process. Hopes are high that this process will pave the way for the town to be successful in its bid and receive a flag as soon as 2013.
Ennis and Dublin are the first locations in Ireland exploring Purple Flag accreditation for night-time economies that are clean, safe, vibrant and convivial. Over the next few months, the Association of Town Centre Management (ATCM) will work with Ennis and Dublin in preparing their entries.
Brian O’Neill of Promote Ennis and Ennis Chamber and Richard Guiney for Dublin City BID have agreed to become the Pathfinders for this exciting new programme in the Republic of Ireland.
An initial meeting to launch the programme will take place in Dublin this Thursday and more locations are invited to attend with a view to joining the Pathfinder programme.
According to Brian O’Neill, “Purple Flag has the strong support of partners in Ennis, including the Ennis Chamber, Promote Ennis and Clare Tourism Forum. Purple Flag accreditation would be a unique opportunity to attract more visitors to Ennis; in particular from the UK. They could base themselves in a town with an award they know and trust.”
Councillor Johnny Flynn, who is chairman of Ennis MPC added, “Our recent Ennis 2020 visioning initiative tapped into local concern for safety and variety at night. Based on this research, we have made contact with Purple Flag representatives and found it a very well-structured and proven scheme. I am truly delighted for Ennis to be one of the first two locations in Ireland to explore this accreditation.”
Purple Flag aims to raise the standard and broaden the appeal of night-time destinations. Just as Blue Flag is an indicator of a clean beach, Purple Flag is an indicator of where to go for a good night out and brings positive publicity for successful centres.
Launched by the Association of Town Centre Management in England in October 2009, the scheme is now successful in 25 town and city centres in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and there is growing interest from Europe, the USA and Australia.
A similar Pathfinder programme in Northern Ireland resulted in four places gaining Purple Flag Accreditation – Bangor, Belfast, Derry/Londonderry and Enniskillen, with another 15 attending a launch event last month.
According to Purple Flag holders, the scheme has galvanised the night-time economy in their areas, increased partnership working and improved performance on safety, crime-reduction and cleanliness.
Martin Blackwell, chief executive of the Association of Town Centre Management, said, “I am delighted that Dublin and Ennis are taking up the challenge of Purple Flag. I hope others will come forward to work with us to blaze a trail for others to follow.
“Purple Flag can play a valuable role in raising the standard and broadening the appeal of Ireland’s night-time economy. Our pathfinder programme has been very successful north of the border. This is a valuable test run, to ensure Purple Flag reflects Irish priorities and potential. I invite other locations to join Dublin and Ennis in making this initiative a huge success.”
Twenty-five town and city centres have been awarded Purple Flags since the scheme was launched by the Association of Town Centre Management in October 2009. Purple Flag is run by the Association of Town Centre Management in partnership with industry, licensees, retailers, central and local government, the police and consumers. It is based on extensive research, market testing, pilot and pathfinder projects.