Maidstone's Night Time Economy

12 January 2011

Maidstone Bids for Purple Flag! Purple Flag status is the new "gold standard" that recognises great entertainment and hospitality areas at night.

Maidstone Borough Council’s Economic Development team, Safer Maidstone Partnership, Maidstone Town Centre Management and Kent Police have led the bid.

Places that achieve the standard will be those that offer a positive experience to night time visitors and users. Just as Blue Flag is an indicator of a good beach and Green Flag a good park, Purple Flag is set to be the indicator of where to go for a good night out and will bring positive publicity for the successful town and city centres.

Purple Flag is designed to be an objective assessment that helps towns put in place the right framework across five key areas for the town centre at night.

Most significantly it provides recognition for town centres that proactively manage the ‘night time experience’ and thus help overcome any negative public perceptions that may exist. Purple Flag provides the opportunity for successful centres to present themselves in their true colours and in a positive light to town centre users and operators, residents, tourists and visitors.

Areas that reach or surpass Purple Flag standards can fly the flag! The market testing carried out nationally shows that stakeholders think it will bring real benefits, including:
• A raised profile and an improved public image
• Wider patronage
• Increased expenditure
• Lower crime and anti-social behaviour
• A more successful mixed-use economy

To view the video of Maidstone's night time economy see our video links page within this website.

To find out more about towns and economies flying visit Purple Flags .

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