Rob Gibson, pub manager at The Green Ginger, in Torquay, has been appointed chairman of a steering group to help the Devon town to gain national recognition for safety.
Rob, together with representatives from local police, council, town-centre management, retailers, other licensees and businesses, aims to win Torquay town centre its Purple Flag status.
Purple Flag is a new accreditation scheme which recognises excellence in the management of town and city centres – at night. Entertainments areas which achieve the standard are those which offer visitors a better night out.
Purple Flag aims to raise standards and improve the quality of UK towns and cities.
Just as Blue Flag is an indicator of a good beach, Purple Flag is set to be the indicator of where to go for a good night out and will bring positive publicity for successful town and city centres.
If successful, Torquay could be ranked among the best night-life locations in the UK, attracting more families and older visitors to the town centre and harbourside – after 6pm.
City centres which have already attained Purple Flag status include Bath, Birmingham , Bournemouth, Covent Garden and London’s Leicester Square, Liverpool, Manchester and Nottingham.
The scheme, launched last year, has the support of the police and the Home Office.