Enniskillen awarded Purple Flag for excellence in evening hospitality

9th July 2018

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Enniskillen has had its prestigious Purple Flag status renewed in recognition of its evening and night time economy.

Similar to the Blue Flag for beaches, Purple Flag aims to raise the standard and broaden the appeal of town and city centres between the hours of 5pm – 5am.

The Purple Flag is awarded to areas in recognition for providing a vibrant and diverse mix of dining, entertainment and culture while promoting the safety and wellbeing of visitors and local residents.

The Purple Flag programme is managed by the Association of Town and City Management (ATCM).

Since 2007, the programme has awarded the Purple Flag status to over 70 towns and cities in the UK and Ireland.

Speaking about the renewal of the Purple Flag status for Enniskillen, the Chairman of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Cllr Howard Thornton said:

“I am delighted that Enniskillen has once again achieved Purple Flag status for its great entertainment, exceptional hospitality and in providing a safe night out for visitors.

This award has been achieved by people working together to enhance and promote the town’s evening economy and to encourage even more people to visit Ireland’s only island town to experience everything it has to offer.

I would like to offer my thanks to all those involved in helping Enniskillen to achieve this prestigious award. Fermanagh and Omagh District Council will continue to work with our local partners to further develop the experience and enjoyment of Enniskillen by visitors and locals alike.”

A number of local agencies and organisations including Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, the PSNI, Department for Infrastructure, Fermanagh and Omagh Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP), Enniskillen BID and representatives from the community and voluntary sector work together to ensure that the town continues to provide great entertainment, exceptional hospitality and a safe night out for visitors.

“Enniskillen BID identified Purple Flag within our Business Plan as an area to provide support to, as it is an important addition to the night-time economy of our Island Town,” said Noelle McAloon, Enniskillen BID manager.

“We were delighted to support Fermanagh and Omagh District Council during the Purple Flag assessment with new branded beer mats and production of a video showing the vibrancy of Enniskillen at night, which was shot during Purple Flag weekend last October.  We want to encourage and improve on Enniskillen’s Purple Flag into the future”, she added.

Speaking about the Purple Flag award, Pat Blake, Blake’s of the Hollow, said:

“We in Blake’s fully support the Council with the Purple Flag scheme.  It is so important that our customers and visitors to Enniskillen feel safe and enjoy our pubs, restaurants and all business that operate at night.  I am delighted that Enniskillen passed the assessment and we should really celebrate it!”

Cllr Mary Garrity, on behalf of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, was presented with Enniskillen’s Purple Flag award at an event at the DoubleTree by Hilton in  Hull on 27 June 2018.

In Northern Ireland, just four other towns and cities have been awarded the coveted Purple Flag status – Omagh, Armagh, Derry/Londonderry and Newry.