Inspectors for a national safety accreditation have visited Aberdeen as part of the city’s bid to retain the Purple Flag for a 10th year.
The application, which was submitted by Aberdeen Inspired, led to an assessment of the Granite City taking place on Friday night (March 24).
As part of the accreditation process, the assessors visited various locations across the city, including the newly revamped Union Terrace Gardens, as well as the Merchant Quarter and Shiprow.
The team had the opportunity to meet with hotel and restaurant owners and publicans to discuss work being done to ensure the city centre is welcoming to all visitors.
The assessment process also included a briefing with Police Scotland and meeting city centre partners including the Street Pastors and taxi marshals.
Managed by The Association of Town and City Management, the Purple Flag award recognises a safe and vibrant city centre, both during the day and in the evening and night time.
Innes Walker, City Centre Manager at Aberdeen Inspired, said: “Aberdeen has now held its Purple Flag status for almost 10 years and we hope that will continue. Not only that, the Silver City is the only city in Scotland to have its commitment to ensuring it is a safe and welcoming place to be, whether during the day or through into the night, recognised by the Association of Town & City Management.
“We were pleased to host the inspection on Friday, which included attending a police briefing and meeting key figures from the city centre scene, including street pastors and taxi providers. The assessor also received an update about the regeneration of Shiprow Village and spent time out and about in Aberdeen.”
Councillor Martin Greig, culture spokesperson for Aberdeen City Council, said: “A great deal of joint effort is made to ensure our city centre is as safe as possible.
“There is very strong teamwork from Police, the Council, the business sector and from many other organisations, including the Fire And Rescue Service, Aberdeen Street Pastors and others, all working together for the good of the city.
“This cooperation is crucial for a peaceful and attractive environment in the interests of residents and visitors. Hopefully our collective action will be recognised by retaining our purple flag for an historic 10th year in a row.”
Aberdeen city centre recently hosted Spectra, a four-day festival of light and sound which saw the city’s streets flooded with visitors, while this year’s Nuart Aberdeen, the award-winning and globally acclaimed international street art festival, has just been confirmed for 8-11 June.
Innes added: “It’s testament to the work that has been done to make the city a safe and welcoming venue that thousands chose to visit the city to take in the stunning displays that made up Spectra. And with Nuart just around the corner in June, we’re hopeful the city has retained its Purple Flag status for another year.”
Aberdeen Inspired was established to attract, sustain and boost investment in Aberdeen’s city centre for the benefit of its levy payers and all those who live, work, shop and visit there.
In addition to levy payments, which go to support city centre improvements and initiatives, the BID brings in additional funding which that for every £1 of levy collected, at least £2 is invested in the city centre.
The BID footprint covers Union Street and the surrounding streets, including Broad Street, Market Street, Bridge Street, Huntly Street and Holburn Junction.