2020 has been a very different year for the UK’s night-time economy and things have changed in a way we could never have predicted. So, amidst all the uncertainty we are very proud to announce that Derby has retained its status as a Purple Flag city for the seventh year in a row.

Earlier this year, before the pandemic hit, a team of Purple Flag assessors visited the city, accompanied by Council officers and our partners, to judge its night-time offering under a variety of categories around safety and welcome. The assessors act as our critical friends providing totally independent assessments to the quality and professionalism of the services we work together to provide.

If you’ve ever been on a night out in Derby, you may have noticed the teams of volunteers and workers who give up their weekends to help keep you safe. Street Pastors, taxi marshals, Licensing Officers, Derbyshire police, door staff, ambulance crews and CCTV operators all work together in partnership to make Derby a Purple Flag city.

Our international Purple Flag accreditation provides the banner to which these partners rally to make Derby as safe, welcoming and diverse city as possible. It is a recognition of the hard work that goes on both on the street and behind closed doors to make your night out safer.

Councillor Jonathan Smale, Cabinet Member for Communities, Neighbourhoods and Streetpride said:

I’m thrilled that we have retained our Purple Flag status for another year. Our continued retention of the accreditation is a true testament to the immense amount of hard work that goes on behind the scenes to keep our night-time economy, safe and thriving. With the effects of Coronavirus still being felt all over the world, it’s more important than ever that we have this fantastic network and partnership of those involved in making Derby a safe place to enjoy a night out.

Amongst the aspects praised by assessors was strong joint working between the Council and partners including the taxi marshal service, Pubwatch, Street Pastors and Derbyshire Constabulary, as well as the help and support of Cathedral Quarter and St. Peter’s Quarter Business Improvement Districts (BIDs).

Inspector Richard Keene, Neighbourhood Safeguarding Team, Incorporating Licensing, Partnerships, Community Safety and Vulnerability says:

It is absolutely fantastic news that the city has been re-accredited with the prestigious Purple Flag award. This is testament to the joined-up work that the Police, Licensing Department and local Safer Neighbourhood teams carry out with the City Council and its enthusiastic and committed Community Safety team. This particularly includes our ability to swiftly respond to incidents in the night-time economy which are based on high levels of cooperation between the police, Pubwatch, SIA Door staff, Taxi Marshalls, Street Pastors, ambulance service, CCTV operatives and the licensed premises themselves. Working together we aim to reduce incidences of violent alcohol related crime in the city and respond robustly and pro-actively to problematic premises and locations or priority areas which flag as potentially undermining the fantastic offering which exists. Our efforts in this area and the investment which has been made into providing a diverse and inclusive entertainment to all sectors of our communities is vital to the continued success of the City’s social vibrancy. These efforts make it one of the most safe and enjoyable places to enjoy all the diverse entertainment a night-time economy can offer.

Martin Langsdale, chair of the Cathedral Quarter Management Group, which drives forward activities under the area’s Business Improvement District (BID) status said:

The evening economy in Derby is largely focused within the Cathedral Quarter, which is the leisure and cultural heart of the city centre. Retaining Purple Flag status is something that our businesses and indeed the whole of Derby should quite rightly be proud of as it reflects the safe and diverse nature of the evening economy in the city centre. This accreditation is particularly important in these challenging times as we move out of lockdown and are working hard to encourage people back into the city centre in a socially distanced and responsible way.

Helen Wathall chair of the Board of St Peters Quarter BID said:

St Peters Quarter has worked closely with Derby City Council, Derbyshire Police and other key partners to improve the attractiveness of the area and to ensure that visitors have a safe and enjoyable evening out in the city. These were both crucial aspects in helping secure Purple Flag status for Derby and we are delighted with the announcement.

Jason Dickins, Managing Director of Atlas Enforcement, said:

I am delighted that Derby has once again been awarded with the purple flag. It is important that everyone is able to enjoy a night out in Derby and that they feel safe when they are out around the city centre. We manage the CCTV operations within the city centre and document any incidents which may occur during a typical night. Along with this we run a taxi marshal service which ensures the public get home safely following a night out. Being awarded Prestigious purple flag once again shows that we are committed to making Derby as safe as possible.