The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
A bid for Spalding’s nightlife to receive recognition for its excellence is being considered.
Council officials are looking to apply for Purple Flag status which is awarded to “Excellence in the Evening and Night-Time Economy” by the Association of Town and City Management (ATCM).
“Vibrant, night-time economies do not happen by accident,” the ATCM website states. “Innovation, curation, planning and partnership are all key elements to creating a destination that can delight users after dark.
“Purple Flag is an international accreditation programme that aims to reward those who achieve this in their destinations after dark.
“Purple Flag strives to help create safe and thriving locations at night for all users.”
It continues: “Those already accredited have reported positive feedback from local businesses, a clear message for improved communications and a platform from which to promote their night time economy.
“The accreditation process takes towns and cities through a comprehensive set of standards, management processes and good practice examples all designed to help transform the evening and night time economy and provide a research, training and development programme.”
The nearest places with Purple Flag status are Cambridge, Nottingham and Melton Mowbray.
The South and East Lincolnshire Local Councils Partnership, of which South Holland District Council is a partner, along with Boston Borough and East Lindsey districts, is considering putting Spalding forward for Purple Flag status alongside Boston and Skegness.
A spokesman for the partnership said: “As part of the new South and East Lincolnshire Community Safety Strategy, new activities are being explored to enhance the town centres of Boston, Skegness and Spalding.
“Members of the South and East Lincolnshire Community Safety Partnership (SELCSP) have requested further information on the Purple Flag accreditation, which is awarded to towns and cities who surpass excellence in managing their evening and night-time economies.
“Areas that achieve the Purple Flag will be those that are safe, diverse, vibrant, appealing, well managed, and offer a positive experience to consumers.
“The rationale for looking at the Purple Flag accreditation follows the successful Safer Streets Fund bid by the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership, in collaboration with the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office.
“The Safer Streets Fund primarily focuses on activities that increases feelings of safety in public places, creating CCTV ‘safe zone’ areas within each the town centres of Boston, Skegness and Spalding.”
The potential bid for Purple Flag status is listed in the agenda for South Holland District Council’s Performance Monitoring Panel which is meeting next week.
The spokesman continued: “This project is very much in its infancy and no formal decision has been taken to proceed with the proposal.
“At this stage it is not possible to provide any information on what work would have to be undertaken in each of the town centres.
“The next step is for the SELCSP to discuss it in detail on February 9, 2023 to consider the cost implications, capacity, feasibility, practicalities and partner buy-in for delivering the project.”
