Newport city centre has won accreditation following the transformation of its evening and night-time economy, according to the city council. The city has claimed Purple Flag status - a scheme which aims to “raise the standard and appeal of a town and city centre between 5pm and 5am”.
A council statement said that it owed its triumphant submission for the status to “the invigoration of café culture during the pandemic, the proactive work being done around drink and drug spiking, and Newport Explorer signage”. The signage is a route of QR codes that can be scanned to reveal stories of the city.
Newport isn’t alone in winning Purple Flag accreditation in Wales. Swansea and Cardiff have won the status, while Aberystwyth became the first town in Wales to do so in 2012.
READ MORE: Newport's changing identity: The city that always seems to take one step forward and two steps back
According to the Association of Town and City Management which manages the scheme, Purple Flag status will: “Raise profile and an improved public image for the location, a wider patronage, increased expenditure, lower crime and anti-social behaviour, and a more successful mixed use economy.”
Newport has experienced mixed fortunes in recent times. Earlier this year Centre for Cities claimed it had the most empty units by area in the UK.
Leader of the city’s council Jane Mudd had explained the city’s hopeful move towards a destination of leisure as retail struggled in the aftermath of continuous pandemic restrictions. That was followed by the opening of the new market on High Street and multiple new eateries which have undoubtedly added a renewed vibrancy that the centre of the city surrounding Friars Walk hasn’t seen in years.
Ms Mudd called the news “exceptionally good for Newport and all of the businesses that are part of the night-time economy”. “There has undoubtedly been a significant change in the evening and night-time offer and atmosphere in the city,” she said.
“We have an amazing European-style café culture developing in the High Street area of the town with the newly refurbished market complementing existing bars and restaurants.” You can read about more plans for outdoor seating at the market on High Street here.
“We have the traditional and popular pubs such as the Potters as well as the cluster of excellent restaurants in Friars Walk,” she added. “The city also has fantastic independent businesses providing live music and entertainment from Le Pub in High Street to the Riverfront Theatre.”
Manager of the Newport Now Business Improvement District (BID) Kevin Ward said the acclaim is “just reward” for efforts made to improve people’s safety in the city. “As well as the regular services we provide to businesses, last Christmas we distributed anti-drink spiking materials to licensed premises across the city centre,” he said.
“But this award is only the start. Improving the night-time economy is a continuing process and the work to retain Purple Flag starts now.”
