Shrewsbury celebrates a decade of Purple Flag Success

Shrewsbury is celebrating a landmark achievement after the town was awarded prestigious Purple Flag status for the tenth consecutive year – recognising the town's thriving, welcoming, and safe evening and night-time economy.

Often described as the night-time economy's equivalent of the Blue Flag for beaches, the Purple Flag is a national accreditation awarded by the Association of Town & City Management (ATCM). It reflects a destination's commitment to creating a diverse, safe, and vibrant experience between the hours of 5pm and 5am.

This year's assessment praised Shrewsbury's strong partnership working, dedication to safety, and rich cultural offer. The application was led by Shrewsbury BID, in partnership with Team Shrewsbury and further nighttime economy stakeholders.

Seb Slater, Executive Director of Shrewsbury BID, stated, "Reaching ten consecutive years of Purple Flag status is a significant milestone, and not just for our team - it reflects the dedication of Shrewsbury's businesses, Team Shrewsbury partners and volunteers who contribute to making Shrewsbury a safe and welcoming place in the evening and into the night.

“With the World Cup coming this summer, the role our pubs and venues play in bringing people together safely is especially significant - and this accreditation gives residents and visitors real confidence that Shrewsbury is place they can feel safe.”

Key strengths highlighted by the assessors included the expansion of Restaurant Week in 2025, which generated over £14,000 in local spending (based on voucher downloads alone), and the successful launch of a collaborative night bus trial that directly addresses late-night transport challenges through robust cross-sector partnerships.

The judges noted that the town's evening appeal continues to flourish with the introduction of vibrant new pop-up venues and themed experiences, all underpinned by a nationally recognised, award-winning community market and a strong Pubwatch scheme.

Helen Ball, Town Clerk, Shrewsbury Town Council, commented, “Retaining Purple Flag status for another year is a fantastic achievement for Shrewsbury and reflects the continued commitment of all our partners to creating a town centre that is welcoming, vibrant and safe after dark. This recognition highlights the strength of our partnership working and the pride we all share in delivering a positive experience for residents,

visitors and businesses alike. We are incredibly proud to see Shrewsbury recognised once again as one of the UK’s leading evening economy destinations.”

Inspector Ingrid Tozer, Shrewsbury Central, West Mercia Police, stated, "Ten years of Purple Flag recognition is a real testament to the collaborative spirit that defines Shrewsbury's approach to evening safety. From high-visibility patrols to our ongoing partnerships with local venues and volunteers, West Mercia Police is proud to play its part in ensuring everyone can enjoy the town's vibrant night-time scene with confidence."

As one of just 90 towns and cities internationally to fly the Purple Flag, Shrewsbury joins destinations across the UK, Ireland, Sweden, New Zealand, Malta and Australia. The award helps drive continued investment, footfall, and pride in the town centre - while giving residents and visitors confidence that they are safe and welcome after dark.

Kev Rippard, Co-Landlord at The Salopian Bar and newly opened Market Hall Tavern, and Chair of Shrewsbury Pubwatch, added, "A tenth Purple Flag is something the whole town should be proud of. It reflects years of hard work, high standards, and collaboration across the sector."