I’M glad we have Purple Flag status in Salisbury, but it surprises me that we do.

It means we exhibit good practice and excellence in managing the night-time economy, which is great, but is also meant to indicate a diverse night out, which I can't see.

I love our city for its history and beauty, and its assorted markers of personal identity – we have the oldest building in the country to house a cinema, a deconsecrated church for our arts centre, and old pubs and shops.

But, since I moved back, I've struggled to find interesting things to do, and have found that many people head for Bath, Bristol and London for their entertainment.

It means that Salisbury seems to be stuck in a stagnant spiral of tribute acts and nostalgia nights. Salisbury Arts Centre offers up some alternative cinema and live music, but there's only so much folk I can take.

I'm from the West Country – am I allowed to say that?

It would be great to have more choice of blues, rock, jazz, hip hop, indie…

There’s dayglo liquor for pennies along Milford Street on a Friday night and Pride and Prejudice at the Playhouse, but where’s the in between? Highbrow and lowbrow are taken care of, but where's the diversity?

The creativity and quirkiness? I feel that us having Purple Flag status is simply a box ticked and doesn't actually represent the city, come night-fall.

It’s like we’ve fluffed the cushions, flicked the hoover round and wiped a damp cloth over the surfaces because someone was coming round, but if they ran their finger along the top of the door jamb it would be black.

Purple Flag Week starts on Saturday, and there are assorted events planned.

The vintage market tomorrow runs into the evening with retro bands playing, and Foodie Friday on October 3 will feature local bands, a hog roast, Pimm’s bus and 40 food and drink producers from the south west.

It’s a great chance to try and create a more interesting, vibrant city for ourselves.