‘Remarkable’ achievements see renewal of Chelmsford’s Purple Flag status

Chelmsford’s Purple Flag status has been renewed for the 12th consecutive year. The international accreditation programme recognised the city’s diverse nightlife, “extensive” range of events and “remarkable” work in addressing violence against women and girls.

12 consecutive years of Purple Flag status for Chelmsford

Purple Flag aims to help create safe and thriving evening destinations, broadening the appeal of town and city centres and rewarding vibrant night-time economies. Purple Flag status indicates an area’s innovative management of its evening and night-time economy to provide a vibrant and diverse mix of dining, entertainment and culture.

The accreditation is assessed on five core themes:

• The policy envelope: Applicants must demonstrate an after-hours policy that shows a clear strategy based on sound research, integrated public policy and a successful multi-sector partnership.
• Wellbeing: All sectors must play their part in delivering high standards of customer care to ensure the area is safe and welcoming.
• Movement: Visitors must be enabled to get home safely after an evening out, via public transport and well managed carparking, and crowd management must allow easy movement around the centre on foot.
• Appeal: Successful destinations offer a vibrant choice of leisure and entertainment for a variety of ages, groups, lifestyles and cultures.
• Place: The character and identity of the area should be reinforced, with imaginative urban design that brings it to life during the day as well as in the evening.

Chelmsford city centre has great transport links, entertainment venues, bars and restaurants.

Chelmsford city centre has great transport links, entertainment venues, bars and restaurants.

Chelmsford city centre has great transport links, entertainment venues, bars and restaurants.

Chelmsford city centre has great transport links, entertainment venues, bars and restaurants.

Chelmsford city centre has great transport links, entertainment venues, bars and restaurants.

Councillor Donna Eley, Cabinet Member for a Safer Chelmsford, says the Purple Flag report read as a great advertisement of all that Chelmsford has to offer:

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“The renewal report from Purple Flag reflects the efforts of the council to create a more connected Chelmsford and the impact Chelmsford’s incredible business community has on our city. We’re fortunate to have such a vibrant and diverse offering of entertainment, dining, and nightlife on our doorstep, and that’s thanks to the creative and adaptable approach our venues take.

“Chelmsford city centre’s footfall remains above the national average, and we have seen an increase in visitor share from other areas of Essex, so clearly our neighbours are catching on to what a night out in Chelmsford has to offer! The fact assessors highly commended our efforts to enhance safety shows how seriously we take the responsibility of keeping our residents and visitors safe while they spend time in our city.”

Cllr Donna Eley, Cabinet Member for a Safer Chelmsford, Chelmsford City Council

City praised for women’s safety efforts

The Purple Flag assessment noted that perception of safety when alone at night is “overwhelmingly positive,” which is testament to the work of our Safer Chelmsford Partnership. Assessors noted the council’s efforts to strengthen existing safety measures, such as partnering with the SOS Bus, while also implementing new schemes, like providing Making Every Contact Count training for transport providers, adding an extra layer of guardianship within the city.

Members of the Safer Chelmsford Partnership work together to make Chelmsford a safe place to live, work and visit.

The latest instalment of the Women’s Safety in Our City campaign was highly praised by assessors, too. Spencer Clarke, Public Protection Manager at Chelmsford City Council, says the Women’s Safety Charter has had a huge impact on how safety is discussed among residents and businesses in Chelmsford:

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“The readiness with which businesses in the city centre signed up to our Women’s Safety Charter was really exciting for us and their continued support shows that they take the safety of their customers, staff, and their fellow community members seriously.

“We’re delighted that the latest campaign’s focus on active bystandership has been so well received as real change comes from the community. Knowing that our residents want to help put a stop to harassment and dehumanising behaviour isn’t a surprise but it is a real motivator for us in continuing with the work we’re doing and I’m looking forward to seeing our Purple Flag status go from strength to strength as Chelmsford’s community does the same.”

Spencer Clarke, Public Protection Manager, Chelmsford City Council

Diverse events offering recognised

The diversity of Chelmsford’s venues ensures that the city has something for everyone among its night-time economy. Chelmsford Theatre provides everything from West End shows to drag bingo, the city’s restaurants offer cuisines from around the world, and pubs and bars serve up everything from specialist cocktails to the perfect pint.

Larger events, like last summer’s Sounds Good Festival and Chelmsford For You’s Christmas market in Tindal Square were cited in Purple Flag’s report as further enhancing the city’s offering.

Sounds Good Festival: Copyright Jonathan Dadds.

Thanks to a strong partnership with the city’s Business Improvement District (Chelmsford For You) and the launch of the new Invest Chelmsford website, improvements to Chelmsford's already successful nighttime economy are set to continue! Chelmsford has an exciting programme of events coming up in 2025 and a thriving evening and nightlife scene to be proud of. Thank you to all of Chelmsford City Council’s partners for their continued support and investment, and to Purple Flag for recognising Chelmsford as a safe and thriving city.

To learn more about Purple Flag, visit www.atcm.org/purple-flag.