As Derby celebrates its 13th year as a Purple Flag city, an Awareness Month for the prestigious award is highlighting the work going on throughout the year.

Purple Flag Awareness Month, held every October, is a national initiative which celebrates towns and cities that have received an accreditation for providing safe, welcoming, and vibrant evening and night-time economies. 

Managed by the Association of Town and City Management (ATCM), the Purple Flag was awarded to the city by an independent panel for meeting high standards between 5pm and 5am. The panel highlighted Derby’s combination of dining, culture, and entertainment, alongside its measures to prioritise public safety, including Street Pastors and Taxi Marshals.

To mark the awareness month and celebrate 13 years as a Purple Flag city, Derby’s Purple Flag group – a partnership of local organisations working together to improve the city centre – came together at Derby Market Hall on Wednesday 20 October. The group includes the Council’s key partners, Derbyshire Constabulary, local business groups, both Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), Derby Homes, the University of Derby, Derby City Pubwatch, and Visit Derby. 

The recognition comes as Derby continues to benefit from significant investment and regeneration. Recent developments including Vaillant Live, the transformed Derby Market Hall, and ongoing regeneration projects across the city centre are helping to strengthen Derby’s night-time and cultural economy while creating a vibrant and safer environment for residents, businesses, and visitors.

Councillor Gurkiran Kaur, Cabinet Member for City Centre, Culture and Tourism, said:

Purple Flag Awareness Month is a chance to celebrate the work that takes place throughout the year to make Derby city centre a welcoming, vibrant and safe place to enjoy an evening out.

Derby's continued Purple Flag status reflects the strength of our partnership working and the shared commitment of organisations across the city to creating a positive experience for residents, visitors and businesses.

As our city centre continues to grow and evolve, we're focused on building on that success. Over the coming year we'll be working closely with our partners on a variety of initiatives to help create a city centre that is attractive, inclusive, and welcoming for everyone.

Councillor Sarah Chambers, Cabinet Member for Communities, Equalities, and Public Safety, said:

Keeping people safe when they are enjoying an evening or night out in Derby is our top priority. Through our Purple Flag partnership, we are investing in practical measures to make a real difference in the city centre, from extra CCTV and lighting to late-night support services such as the invaluable work that our Street Pastors and Taxi Marshals do. 

Purple Flag Awareness Month is a chance to recognise the hard work of our Council teams and Purple Flag partners, including the Police, the Business Improvement Districts, businesses, and volunteers. 

By working together with our partners, we can ensure that Derby’s city centre remains a safer and welcoming place for everyone.

Russ Lewis, Head of Student Engagement & Achievement at the University of Derby, said: 

The University is committed to working in partnership with Derby City Council, and all other key stakeholders to ensure Derby remains a city where everyone can enjoy a safe and welcoming night out. 

Students are an important part of the city's community, attending and contributing to a wide range of events and venues throughout the week and at weekends. As a research-informed institution and active member of Derby's Purple Flag Group, we were delighted to lead work on the Purple Flag perceptions survey during Purple Flag Awareness Month, gathering valuable insights into people’s experiences and perceptions of Derby's offering.

The Purple Flag perceptions survey is seeking the views of residents, visitors, and businesses about their experience of Derby city centre after 5pm. The feedback will help to identify what is currently working well and what can be improved.