Bid to expand safe nightlife status across region
- News Room
- Apr 2
- 2 min read
Night-Time Economy Chief Aims to Extend Liverpool's 'Purple Flag' Status Across City Region
A leading figure in Liverpool's night-time economy has announced plans to extend the city's prestigious Purple Flag status to the entire metropolitan region, building on its 15-year success.
The city centre has proudly held the Purple Flag accreditation—similar to the Blue Flag for beaches—which recognises the city's commitment to providing a safe and vibrant environment for late-night visitors. The accreditation covers areas such as pubs, clubs, restaurants, and other venues, ensuring they meet high standards of safety and enjoyment.
John Hughes, CEO of Liverpool Nightlife CiC, has set his sights on expanding this recognition beyond the city centre to the broader city region. Hughes expressed his desire to make the entire Liverpool region a safe and thriving destination for night-time activities.
The Purple Flag scheme, managed by the Association of Town and City Management (ATCM), evaluates various factors such as crime rates, cleanliness, attractions, medical facilities, and policing efforts. It also acknowledges initiatives to combat drink spiking and supports the 'Ask for Angela' safety programme.
St Helens currently holds Purple Flag status, and now Liverpool aims to extend that success to its neighbouring areas. Hughes intends to meet with Liverpool city mayor Steve Rotheram and the city council leader to discuss expanding the initiative.
Speaking on BBC Radio Merseyside, Hughes said, “We’ve been part of the scheme for 15 years, and it showcases everything we do. Liverpool is one of the safest cities, and we want to lead the way.”
He added, “We have a lot of young people out at night, and it’s important to improve things like transport to ensure safety. If we succeed in extending the Purple Flag status, we would be the first city region in the world to hold it. Why wouldn’t we want this status? It’s key for safety and will help attract investment to our fantastic city.”
