Salisbury awarded Purple Flag status (From Salisbury Journal)

Salisbury awarded Purple Flag status

3:10pm Thursday 25th October 2012 in News

A NIGHT out in Salisbury is now ranked among the best in Britain.

The city is the latest to receive the Purple Flag award, which recognises excellent standards of quality, variety and safety during night time hours.

Salisbury has shown that it offers a diverse range of entertainment in a variety of venues as well as safe transport home after a night out.

Maggie Rae, chairman of the Wiltshire Community Safety Partnership, said: “This is brilliant news for the city of Salisbury.

“Purple Flag is the ‘gold standard’ for town centres at night and it aims to raise standards and improve the quality of our city between the hours of 5pm and 5am. It reflects the hard work of the council, police, city council and businesses to make Salisbury a desirable night-time destination for people of all ages.”

Several aspects of Salisbury’s nightlife were praised by the Purple Flag officials who assessed the city centre.

Safety schemes including Pub Watch and the city’s street pastors, were described as “excellent” and “a credit to all who participate and run these ventures”.

Meanwhile The Salisbury Playhouse, Arts Centre and the skate park were highlighted as being “exceptional and well worthy of note” for the programs they run for young people.

Assessors were also impressed by The Chapel nightclub which was commended for “Bluez and Zuz”, an under 18s social event run by Wiltshire police, as well as the way it manages its queues.

The report described Salisbury as “a fantastic city with so much history and old buildings that have been kept fresh and appropriate for its inhabitants and tourists”.

Jo Broom, leader of Salisbury City Council, said: “As a council we are delighted with this award for our city, this has been a great example of working in partnership and a huge achievement for our businesses and those who benefit from the night time economy.”

Wiltshire Council’s cabinet member for public protection Keith Humphries said “I am delighted that Salisbury has been given this well deserved national recognition.

Everyone in Salisbury worked hard to ensure we showcased the city’s varied and vibrant night time experience for residents and visitors.”