Aberdeen has been awarded the Purple Flag for a historic 13th year for its safe and welcoming evening and nightime economy. Image - Glen Cairns
Aberdeen has been awarded prestigious Purple Flag status for an unprecedented 13th year to mark the city’s excellence in managing the evening and night time economy.
Aberdeen Inspired, the city centre Business Improvement District, welcome the interim award, which will be followed by the full award of Purple Flag status next year.
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said: “Retaining the prestigious Purple Flag award for an unprecedented 13th year speaks volumes about our vibrant, welcoming and safe city centre.
“It also a testament to the hard work and drive of so many city centre stakeholders and partners to make the heart of the Granite City the best it can be, while not being blind to the many challenges faced, in common with other cities across Scotland. But Aberdeen is the only Scottish city to have Purple Flag status, and we should all be very proud of that.”
The Association of Town and County Management which awards Purple Flag status in the UK was impressed by occasions such as this year’s World Cup which attracted thousands into bars and other venues with specially extended license with no reports of significant trouble recorded.
Aberdeen’s submission also highlighted the phenomenal massive success of the award-winning Tall Ships Races in Aberdeen last year which saw 500,000 visits to the event and generated more than £32million for the regional economy during the four-day celebration.
Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader Councillor Christian Allard said: “We are proud of the fact that Aberdeen is the only city in Scotland to hold Purple Flag status and even more so that we have achieved the award for a thirteenth consecutive. It’s a hard-earned achievement.
“I’d like to thank everyone involved from within the Council and our partners who do much to create a vibrant nighttime economy in Aberdeen.”
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, welcomed the Purple Flag award coming to Aberdeen for the 13th years. Image - Aberdeen Inspired
Co-Leader, Councillor Ian Yuill said: “Creating a safe environment for people to come and enjoy themselves in the city centre has been at the heart of our thirteenth Purple Flag success.
“In partnership with Police Scotland, Aberdeen Inspired, Aberdeen Street Pastors and several other local organisations and trade businesses we continue to create a welcoming environment for people to sample the diverse range of evening attractions Aberdeen has to offer.”
Chief Inspector Vicky Stables from Police Scotland said: “I’m delighted that the collective effort of partners has once again secured Purple Flag accreditation. This recognition is a testament to the strength of partnership working, which has long been a key feature of our city centre.
“We work closely with bars, nightclubs and restaurants, as well as our partners in the public, private and third sectors to create a safe and welcoming environment for everyone enjoying our nighttime economy.
“Our Local Policing teams work hard throughout the year to prevent serious and violent incidents and respond to emerging issues, helping to ensure our city remains one of the safest places in the UK to enjoy a night out.”
There has been a five-year downward trend in nighttime city centre crime since the Covid lockdown was lifted and this has also been helped by innovations such as the pioneering Street Pastors, among the first in the UK, with over 80 volunteers supporting night-time safety and partnership working.
In addition, since retaining Purple Flag status last year, two new Aberdeen Ambassador roles have been created to provide a friendly, highly visible presence in the city centre, welcome people to Aberdeen, act as a point of information, and help support community safety.