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Bradford city centre wins Purple Flag status

Bradford city centre has been awarded the Purple Flag, a national accolade which recognises it as being a safe, vibrant and well managed place to visit and spend time in after dark.

The accolade, run by the Association of Town Centre Management (ATCM) was achieved through submitting evidence collected on topics, including crime and anti-social behaviour; alcohol and health; composition of amenities; footfall; perceptions; volume and value of businesses and range of patronage.

The Purple Flag puts Bradford on a level with other UK towns and cities, including Manchester, Liverpool and Hull who have also successfully gained the award.

Bradford Council and Bradford at Night worked together to meet the award criteria with support from West Yorkshire Police, Pubwatch, New Vision, City of Culture 2025, The Broadway, Bradford BID and Your Business Crime Network and other partner organisations.

This work included a 12-hour overnight assessment, carried out from 5pm to 5am to look at activities and behaviours around shopping, dining, bars, clubs, theatres, CCTV, street cleaning, lighting, transport and the condition of the public realm.

The council has taken a number of measures over several years to improve the city centre including:

  • Major work to transform the city centre’s road and pavement layout, including improved cycle access, new pedestrianised areas and landscaping, funded by the government’s Transforming Cities Fund – now almost complete after nearly two years
  • Roll-out of the Ask for Angela scheme in licensed venues which enables people to discreetly get help from staff if they feel unsafe
  • Active Bystander training offered to help people challenge inappropriate/anti-social behaviour
  • Tree lights installed by the Festival Lights team on Ivegate, City Park, Bridge Street, Hall Ings, Bank Street and Darley Street and festoon lighting on Aldermanbury, Piece Hall Yard, Well Street, Market Street, Tyrrel Street and Hustlergate, all funded by the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
  • Additional CCTV installed throughout the city centre
  • Mirror Pool lighting reprogrammed to stay on all night
  • Additional lighting installed at the Impressions Gallery by the landlord of the Aldermanbury Building
  • New bollards to PAS68 rating installed as part of the Transforming Cities work to make the city centre safer for pedestrians
  • An enhanced City Centre Cleansing Team created
  • Partnership working with other agencies cemented and is working successfully to report issues such as rough sleepers, anti-social behaviour and vacant premises.

Cllr Kamran Hussain, Bradford Council’s Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods and Community Safety, said: “This accreditation should be a great boost for Bradford city centre, and with it being our City of Culture year, the timing is ideal, when we want people to come from near and far to enjoy what we have to offer here. Thank you to everyone involved in the hard work needed to achieve this.”

Cllr Alex Ross-Shaw, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “The Purple Flag is a fantastic boost for our economy, highlighting that our city centre is a quality location to set up or invest with a thriving nighttime economy. I know putting this submission together took a lot of work so those involved can be very proud of their efforts.”

Elizabeth Murphy, Managing Director of Bradford at Night, said: “This is exactly the type of accomplishment that shows how far Bradford has come in recent years. It is not just a place where people drive through, it’s now a hub of venues that ooze quality. People enjoy their time in Bradford and the Purple Flag symbolises this. I also want to congratulate everyone involved for their time and effort in achieving this accreditation and for making Bradford what it is today.”

Bradford District Commander Chief Superintendent Richard Padwell of West Yorkshire Police said: “This is a fantastic achievement and will be thoroughly welcomed across the City.  

“Bradford is a great and vibrant city and we as a partnership are committed to ensuring the utmost safety and perceptions of safety for both the residents and visitors to Bradford. This includes the nighttime economy, where we want everyone to have an enjoyable and safe night out.   

“Operation Nocturnal has seen a visible and supportive presence in the City Centre over recent months and we will continue to take a positive approach to keeping people safe.” 

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