Businesses in Bath are being encouraged to celebrate the city’s vibrant night-time economy this weekend as it seeks to gain Purple Flag status for a fifth successive year.
Bath was one of the first UK cities to receive the standard, which recognises excellence in the way towns and cities are managed in the evening and night-time. 
This weekend towns and cities across the UK are planning a wide range of events to showcase the quality, diversity and vibrancy of their evening and night-time economy, and challenge the common negative, stereotypical perceptions about the safety and quality of town and city centres during the evening.
Bath Business Improvement District (BID) and Bath & North East Somerset Council have worked together and committed funds to ensuring the city remains vibrant – and safe – at night, through initiatives such as the Nightwatch scheme and the introduction of city and taxi marshals, which ensure revellers get home safely following a night out and ease pressure on the local emergency services.
BID interim chief executive Jonathan O’Shea said the Nightwatch initiative, which connects licensees and the police via the latest radio technology, had been a key element.
“This helps to quickly identify any issues and share information among the support team. The BID Night Marshals typically help around 2,000 people every week in the city centre.”
As part of the Purple Flag renewal procedure the BID is embarking on a self-assessment process, which is followed by a visit by assessors from the Association of Town and City Management (ATCM), which runs the scheme.
“The Bath BID has worked proactively to support the city’s all-important night-time and evening economy, and our success in securing four successive years of Purple Flag status is testament to the good work done,” Mr O’Shea added.
“We are confident of securing a fifth year, and with further planned improvements laid out in the business plan for a second BID term, we see no reason why Purple Flag accreditation shouldn’t be secured for many years to come.”
Pictured above: The Weir and Pulteney Bridge were bathed in light last year to celebrate the renew of Bath’s accreditation under the Purple Flag scheme
