Nottingham retains its Purple Flag status - but just WHAT is "Purple Flag" and what does it mean?

NOTTINGHAM RETAINS ITS PURPLE FLAG STATUS


Nottingham City Council has confirmed that Nottingham will retain its Purple Flag status. But what does it mean for the city?


Purple Flag accreditation


Local Authorities can apply for accreditation by completing an application form and paying a fee. Nottingham's size means it pays the highest fee (£3000) and £1000 'touchlite' fee each year it wishes to retain its Purple Flag status.


The fee, according to Purple Flag, is to cover administrative costs. But in a country still heavily in a recession and with Nottingham having to cut £10m from its budget, does the Purple Flag scheme offer value for money?


If an area is accredited with the scheme, it is able to fly, quite simply, a purple flag. The Purple Flag is a mark of status. Its benefits, according to www.Purpleflag.org.uk are:

• that it raises the area's profile and portrays an improved public image
• increases visitors
• increases expenditure
• contributes to a lower crime rate and lower anti-social behaviour
• promotes a more successful mixed-economy

But we're not convinced. Until this evening, we hadn't ever heard of the Purple Flag scheme. And now we have, we're not quite sure whether it adds anything to the city. But, let's have a think about this.

Sure, it means we can fly a purple flag to show that we passed the test to become accredited, and it is testament to the great policing Notts police do, particularly in on a busy weekend night, but does it make us feel safer? In a nutshell, we're not convinced.

See the people that cause trouble (of which their behaviour no doubt lead to the creation of the scheme) aren't going to be deterred by a purple flag flying area. If they want to cause trouble, they will. It's only thanks to the police and their intel that the streets of Nottingham are becoming a safer place to be.

Does it encourage visitors? No. Perhaps the unwitting couple will pinpoint a night out in a new area for a change of scenery, but we can't see how having a purple flag would be the icing on the cake. Certainly a group of 18-30 year olds looking for a new scene this weekend aren't going to be influenced by Nottingham's accreditation on the scheme.

On the other side, we're all for improvement, and if this scheme spurs on the powers that be to achieve greater things, then we're right behind it. But to those mindless idiots intent on ruining a night out, it probably doesn't have an effect.

We should be proud of what Nottingham has achieved. And if it is in some way due to our £3000 purple flag, its maybe something that should stay. If our accreditation saves the city a few quid and reduces and deters criminality, then yes, it should stay. That's why we've written this article in purple.

T.O.W.I.N