Luton’s commitment to creating a dynamic, secure and vibrant evening and night-time economy has been recognised with the confirmation of its Purple Flag accreditation.
The award highlights Luton’s blend of night-time entertainment, dining and culture, all while ensuring the safety and well-being of residents and visitors.
Luton BID has worked closely with multiple local partners to gain the sought-after accreditation, similar to the Blue Flag scheme for beaches, which aims to raise the standard and broaden the appeal of town and city centres between the hours of 5pm to 5am.
Key successes in Luton’s submission include a well-engaged and driven partnership, the investment and increase in the hospitality offering for the town, and a dedicated Purple Flag video which captures the buzz happening in Luton.
There are 100 Purple Flag destinations around the world including everything from world renowned tourist destinations to small market towns. Purple Flag has rep- resented the gold standard of the management of evening and night-time economies for nearly 15 years.
Luton BID operation manager Jacki Flower said: “Creating a safe and welcoming environment for our visitors is key to a successful night-time economy and I’m delighted the efforts of multiple partners to do just this has been recognised with this interim renewal of our accreditation
“To be awarded Purple Flag accreditation is a fantastic endorsement for Luton and demonstrates that the many efforts to improve safety in the town centre are having a very positive effect.”
Luton BID is dedicated to enhancing the economic vitality and overall appeal of Luton town centre through collaborative initiatives and community engagement.
Receiving the Purple Flag accreditation can boost the local economy, increase tourism, and improve the overall quality of life for residents by providing more night-time entertainment and social opportunities. It’s a way for cities and towns to demonstrate their commitment to creating vibrant and safe evening and night-time environments.
Luton BID was officially launched in 2014 following a vote by local businesses to make Luton town centre a designated Business Improvement District. After a successful ballot in 2019, Luton BID’s second term runs from January 2020 to December 2024.
Business representatives in Luton have developed a five-year action plan around the key objectives of promoting the area. These objectives are to ensure the town centre is accessible and appealing, to provide a safe and attractive environment for businesses and visitors, to support and promote business growth and to develop and invest in a sense of community.
Luton BID is project managed by Partnerships for Better Business Ltd, a specialist BID Project Management company which develops and manages a wide range of Business Improvement Districts across the UK including town centres and industrial estates.
For more details visit the Luton BID website here.
