THE town centre has been awarded a coveted Purple Flag for the sixth year in a row – recognising its thriving night-time economy.
The Purple Flag scheme aims to raise the standard and improve the appeal of town and city centres between the hours of 5pm and 5am.
For the past six years, the scheme has praised Barnsley’s offer, as the council build partnerships with town centre businesses and introduced a licensing security and vulnerability initiative to improve safety for those going out at night.
The Glass Works development was also celebrated, as it – along with the 775-year-old market – continue to attract new businesses.
Sir Steve Houghton, leader of Barnsley Council, said: “We’re incredibly proud to have received the Purple Flag accreditation for a sixth consecutive year.
“Doing so is a great testament to the dedication and hard work of everyone involved in making Barnsley’s evening and night-time economy a success.
“The collaborative efforts between ourselves, services and partners in both the public and private sector continue to be vital as we all work toward the shared goal of making Barnsley a safe and vibrant place to come with a diverse offering that provides something for everyone to enjoy, day or night.”
The feedback from the assessment said: “Barnsley deserves commendation for the strong momentum conveyed in this submission. The partnership’s strength, collaborative spirit, and ambitious vision for the town are evident and inspiring. The energy surrounding Barnsley’s journey so far - and all that lies ahead - is truly impressive. Well done!
“The level of guardianship within the ENTE is impressive, with groups like the wardens, marshals, angels, and street pastors providing a supportive presence for night time visitors.
“This strong network contributes to a widespread sense of safety, as reflected in the positive results of the crime and anti-social behaviour survey. It's also encouraging to see a responsive approach in action, such as adjusting the patrol hours of marshals and angels to align with consumer needs.
“Following the last renewal, it’s great to see that LSAVI has been a success in Barnsley, with 30 venues already being accredited all with 4.5 stars or above. The adoption of the scheme, and its expansion to the entire town centre,
The partnership includes Doyle Security, South Yorkshire Police, Barnsley Council’s licensing team, the Violence Reduction Unit, Barnsley Hospital, Trading Standards, Safer Neighbourhood Service, Street Pastors, Barnsley Recovery Steps, and licensed premises and staff.
