City retains Purple Flag status for the 12th year in a row

Aberdeen has retained Purple Flag status - a prestigious UK award for excellence in the evening and night time economy, for an unprecedented 12^th year in a row.

The retention of the award was confirmed by the Association of Town and County Management earlier this week. Aberdeen remains the only city in Scotland to hold Purple Flag status.

Key successes in Aberdeen's submission included the pioneering Street Pastors, among the first in the UK, with over 80 volunteers supporting night-time safety and partnership working. In addition, continued funding for Taxi Marshalls, co-location of partner agencies in Marischal College, and the creative reuse of vacant buildings such as the 'Thistle Tavern' gaming hub showcase the city's collaborative and innovative approach.

Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader Councillor Christian Allard said: "With Aberdeen being the only Scottish city to hold Purple Flag status, we are setting a high standard for others to follow across the country.

"The status helps to ensure our city is a place people want to visit and feel safe when doing so."

Co-Leader Councillor Ian Yuill said: "This is a fantastic achievement for the city and one that we are extremely proud of.

"Achieving Purple Flag status for the 12^th year in a row is testament to the successful partnership working that's taken place - with Aberdeen City Council working alongside Police Scotland, Aberdeen Inspired, Street Pastors and several other local organisations and trade businesses in order to achieve this prestigious award status.".

Adrian Watson, CEO of Aberdeen Inspired said: "Aberdeen Inspired is proud to have played a key role in retaining the Purple Flag for Aberdeen - the only city in Scotland to achieve this prestigious accreditation. This recognition reflects the strength of our partnerships with businesses, the local authority and Police Scotland in creating a safe, welcoming and vibrant city centre.

"A secure evening and night-time economy is vital for sustaining footfall, supporting local jobs and driving investment, and this award reinforces Aberdeen's position as a leading destination for residents, visitors and investors alike."

Chief Inspector Vicky Stables from Police Scotland "I am proud of the collective effort that has gone into achieving the Purple Flag accreditation once again.  Partnership working has always been a real strength in our city centre, and we continue to work closely with bars, nightclubs and restaurants, as well as our partners in the public, private and third sectors to keep people safe while enjoying the night-time economy. 

"Our City Centre Community Policing Team work hard throughout the year to prevent serious and violent incidents, helping to ensure the city remains one of the safest in the UK."

The Purple Flag international accreditation programme aims to reward destinations who create safe and thriving locations after dark, between the hours of 5pm to 5am, for all users.