Bath has retained its coveted Purple Flag status in recognition of the way the city manages its vibrant evening and night-time economy.
It is the fifth consecutive year the city has been awarded the status, which is staged by the ATCM (Association of Town & City Management).
To gain a Purple Flag, towns and cities must meet or surpass the ACTM’s standards of excellence by providing a vibrant mix of entertainment, while promoting the wellbeing of visitors and local residents. 
ACTM judges visited Bath – one of the first UK cities to receive the standard – in November to assess the city on a range of criteria including whether it is welcoming, clean and safe, is easy to move around and has a broad appeal with a vibrant choice of venues. Bath met or exceeded all the measures on which it was assessed, according to the ACTM.
Bath Business Improvement District (BID) chief executive Louise Prynne said: “This is a significant achievement for the city. Purple Flag accreditation is only awarded after a comprehensive audit of the city centre which is broad in scope. Only around 65 towns and cities can boast Purple Flag status, which shows the high level of excellence which needs to be achieved and the work needed to secure it.
“Businesses, police, Bath & North East Somerset Council (B&NES), BID Rangers and other agencies must all be congratulated on a culture of collaborative working that has delivered a vibrant, attractive, safe and well managed city centre experience for both residents and visitors.”
The BID and the council have worked together and committed funds to ensuring the city remains vibrant – and safe – at night, through initiatives such as the Nightwatch scheme, which connects licensees and the police via the latest radio technology, and the introduction of city and taxi marshals who ensure revellers get home safely following a night out and ease pressure on the local emergency services.
