As part of a 12-month campaign led by CH1ChesterBID, assessors visited Chester in 2017 to evaluate the city centre against a series of core themes, including wellbeing, movement, broad appeal and destination.
Chester passed with flying colours, with judges describing it as a “clean, welcoming and vibrant city with an abundance of evidence of its historic past”, whilst also recognising the “diverse range of options for families, young people and adults available during the day and night time economy.”
The campaign for Purple Flag status was driven by CH1ChesterBID, Chester’s Business Improvement District, in partnership with Cheshire West and Chester Council and other organisations, including Cheshire Police, Chester Pubwatch, the University of Chester, and several third sector groups.
Established in 2012, the Purple Flag programme is managed by the Association of Town and City Management (ATCM) and is similar to the Blue Flag award for beaches, but instead aims to raise standards and broaden the appeal of night time and evening economies within towns and city centres across the UK.
There are around 70 towns and cities in the UK that have been awarded Purple Flag status by the ATCM, which works alongside a partnership of key stakeholder groups backed by Government, police and businesses.
For more information, visit www.atcm.org
