Both Galway City and Salthill have secured the prestigious Purple Flag, demonstrating their commitment to providing high-quality evening and night-time experiences. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and collaboration of various stakeholders in both areas. To learn more about what this means, read it all about here..
The Purple Flag: A Mark of Excellence for Evening and Night-Time Economies
The Purple Flag is an international accreditation process similar to the Blue Flag for beaches, but instead of focusing on coastal environments, it recognizes towns and city centers that offer an excellent evening and night-time experience. It's about creating vibrant, diverse, safe, and welcoming destinations after dark.
Managed by: The Association of Town and City Management (ATCM)
Purpose: To raise the standard and broaden the appeal of town and city centers between 5 pm and 5 am.
Goals: Enhance the evening and night-time economy: Encourage a diverse offering that goes beyond just pubs and clubs, including entertainment, culture, dining, and family-friendly activities.
Improve safety and wellbeing: Promote a safe environment for visitors and residents, with clear strategies for managing alcohol consumption and anti-social behavior.
Strengthen partnerships: Bring together stakeholders like local businesses, police, council, and community groups to work collaboratively.
Boost the local economy: Increase footfall and spending in the evening and night-time, benefiting businesses and creating jobs.
Aim: To create vibrant and thriving urban centers that are attractive to both residents and visitors after dark.
Objective: To award Purple Flag accreditation to towns and cities that meet or exceed the standards of excellence in managing their evening and night-time economies.
Galway City and Salthill's Purple Flag Success Story
Both Galway City and Salthill have secured the prestigious Purple Flag, demonstrating their commitment to providing high-quality evening and night-time experiences. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and collaboration of various stakeholders in both areas.
Galway City has retained its Purple Flag accreditation since 2015, with ATCM judges consistently impressed by its commitment to safety, strong business partnerships, and initiatives like the addition of outdoor dining licenses. This demonstrates the city's ongoing dedication to creating a thriving and welcoming evening atmosphere.
Salthill received its first Purple Flag accreditation, marking a significant milestone for the village. Judges were particularly impressed by the diverse offerings, including family-friendly activities, alcohol-free socializing options, and a strong sense of community among businesses. This highlights Salthill's success in creating a vibrant and inclusive evening and night-time economy that caters to a wide range of interests.
Key factors contributing to their success:
Diverse offerings: A wide range of pubs, restaurants, cultural venues, entertainment options, and family-friendly activities catering to different tastes and age groups.
Strong safety measures: Effective policing, good lighting, and initiatives to promote responsible alcohol consumption.
Accessibility and transport: Good public transport links and pedestrian-friendly environments.
Community involvement: Engagement with residents and businesses to ensure a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere.
Unique strengths: Salthill's focus on family-friendly activities and alcohol-free options, alongside Galway City's focus on water safety and outdoor dining, showcase the unique character of each location.
By achieving Purple Flag status, Galway City and Salthill have shown that they are vibrant and safe destinations for enjoying the evening and night-time. This not only benefits residents but also attracts tourists and boosts the local economy.
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