Hull’s prestigious Purple Flag status has been renewed following a further assessment by the Association of Town and City Management (ATCM).

A second review of the evening and night time economy in the city centre revealed continuing improvements in crime prevention and public health and also identified new features which have added to Hull’s attractions.

Among those are the successful City of Culture bid, the vibrant programme of festivals and the new swing bridge over the River Hull.

ATCM assessors visited Hull during the Freedom Festival weekend in 2012 and subsequently awarded the city a Purple Flag, which identifies areas as offering a safe and enjoyable night out – in the same way that the Blue Flag signals the best beaches.

Hull’s first Purple Flag week took place from September 21–29 and featured events including the Hull Trinity Festival, painting a KC telephone box purple and branding Hull’s rickshaw rider Neil Worner with Purple Flag logos.

A “light-touch” re-assessment took place during October and the results, which have just been published by the ATCM, show Hull building on the initial achievement and cementing its status as one of only 42 centres in the UK and Ireland to fly the Purple Flag.

ATCM Chief Executive Martin Blackwell commented: “It is fantastic for Hull to be awarded Purple Flag status again following the renewal assessment. The city is a superb example of local partnership work providing an outstanding evening economy.

“The ATCM, along with our sponsor Diageo GB believe that everyone involved should feel extremely proud about having achieved and now retained this prestigious award."

The report from the assessors added: “We are pleased to see evidence provided against the Purple Flag key performance indicators and we commend this high quality work, which is still developing.

“From this we learn that there has been a five per cent reduction in violent crime under the influence and a seven per cent reduction in violence against the person offences at the key times.

“Furthermore the long term trend for alcohol related presentations at A&E at Hull Royal Infirmary is downwards, where the year on year reduction up to the end of June 2013 compared to the previous year was 22 per cent. This is a tremendous achievement and a credit to the police, support services and wider partnership.

“We are pleased to see continuing action around Purple Flag and to improve the night time economy, despite the challenging climate.

“The evidence data submitted shows a reduction in the number of crime, public order offences and alcohol related incidents during the year. Furthermore, improving perceptions from residents and visitors are hugely encouraging.

“There has been a great deal of improvements to the night time economy, despite the harsh economic climate, such as the public realm improvements, developments being completed, the number of events and activities taking place.

“We hope there will be more in the year to come with proposed initiatives to be implemented and completed. We are also very encouraged by the strengthening partnership. “

The successful Purple Flag campaign was led by a partnership which includes HullBID, Hull City Council, Humberside Police, Hull Citysafe, the NHS and many individual businesses.

Superintendent Mark Johansson of Humberside Police said: “The renewal of the Purple Flag status is fantastic news for the people of our city but it comes as no surprise to me.

“Everyone in the Purple Flag partnership has continued to work exceptionally hard to ensure that not only does the city maintain this important accreditation, but further improve upon what was achieved in 2012.

“As a result, the city centre is now an even safer place than it was 12 months ago, with a vibrant atmosphere in which people can live, work and enjoy themselves.”

Kathryn Shillito, HullBID City Centre Manager, added: “Although the second assessment was not as rigorous as the initial inspection we left nothing to chance and we are proud of the efforts of the partnership, which includes city centre businesses.

“HullBID worked hard with its partners and businesses to promote the values and the importance of Purple Flag with such innovations as branding on polycarbonate glasses, use of the logo on menus and brochures and on stickers for the windows of café bars, restaurants and even taxis.

“There are promotional banners at Paragon Interchange and at the P&O Ferries terminal to welcome visitors to a Purple Flag city. All of these initiatives are highlighted by the assessors in their report and will inspire us to keep working hard in readiness for a more thorough inspection in 2014”.

Councillor Stephen Brady, Leader of Hull City Council, said: “I am pleased that the city has retained its Purple Flag status and this, along with being named City of Culture 2017, highlights that Hull is being recognised for what it has to offer and how it is managed.

“I am also pleased that assessors highlighted the City Plan, City of Culture bid, Freedom Festival, Scale Lane Bridge and Old Town pedestrian pilot as significant contributors to making the city vibrant and diverse, safe and well managed. We will be building on the exciting cultural offering and night time economy as we continue our journey to make Hull a prime visitor destination.”

Picture: HullBID City Centre Manager Kathryn Shillito during Purple Flag Week 2013 (Photo: Jack Harland / Hull Daily Mail).