Bury flies Purple Flag for tenth year with focus on safety and evening economy

Wednesday, 18 June 2025 12:39

By David Murphy

Bury celebrates a decade of Purple Flag accreditation as new measures are introduced to boost town centre safety and nightlife

Bury has once again been awarded the prestigious Purple Flag status, marking the tenth consecutive year the town has been recognised for its vibrant and secure evening and night time economy.

The Purple Flag scheme, often likened to the Blue Flag for beaches, is a national benchmark for excellence between 5pm and 5am. It honours towns and cities that provide an outstanding mix of entertainment, dining and culture while keeping safety and inclusivity front and centre.

Bury was the first town in Greater Manchester to receive this status and has continued to lead the way in providing a high-quality night-time experience. Councillor Charlotte Morris, cabinet member for culture, the economy and skills, said: “Bury was the first town in Greater Manchester to achieve Purple Flag status and we are delighted to retain this prestigious award in recognition of the ongoing work to ensure that Bury town centre offers a great evening and night out.”

This year’s submission highlighted new investment across the town centre, including the upcoming Bury Market Flexi-Hall and redevelopment plans for the Mill Gate shopping centre. The growing calendar of cultural events was also cited as enhancing the town’s appeal.

The award particularly praised Bury’s strong multi-agency approach. The submission showcased an inclusive partnership led by the council, Greater Manchester Police, public health, transport providers and the private sector, all working together on long-term strategy and on the ground responses.

Among the most recent initiatives is the launch of a Business Crime Reporting (BCR) app. Spearheaded by Bury BID, this new tool allows town centre businesses to log and share incidents in real time. The data is used by police and council teams to improve response times and identify problem areas more effectively.

Plans are also under way for a team of dedicated town centre wardens, who will patrol key areas, provide support to businesses, and report safety concerns. The BID will continue its Keeping Bury Safe campaign, offering practical training and safety advice to staff and businesses.

Nigel Shields, Town Centre Director at Bury BID, said: “Retaining Purple Flag status for a tenth year is a fantastic achievement and reflects the strong partnership work taking place in Bury. Through the launch of the BCR system, and with further initiatives like town centre wardens in the pipeline, Bury BID is committed to supporting a safe and welcoming town centre for everyone. We’re working closely with local businesses and partners to create an environment where our evening and night time economy can continue to thrive.”