Mansfield to hold Purple Flag event this weekend as it applies again for the accolade

Mansfield is set to be 'painted' purple again this weekend with a celebration night planned at which those out in town can get involved in the fun, win shopping vouchers and take advantage of special offers in night time venues.

It is just over a year since a party was organised to celebrate Mansfield gaining Purple Flag status and the steering group involved in helping to achieve the standard is keen to remind everyone about it.

On Saturday night (May 28) clubs and bars will be decorated, staff dressed in Purple Flag gear and a competition run which has Love2Shop Vouchers funded by Mansfield BID and Palace Theatre panto tickets as prizes.

For the competition* Purple Flag wristbands will be handed out in town by street pastors, BID ambassadors, bar staff, drivers for ACE-ABC, 652 Taxis and 123 Taxis, Palace Theatre staff and at Vision West Nottinghamshire College.

To enter people then need to upload photos of themselves wearing one of the wristbands to facebook, twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #mansfieldfun

The winners will be selected by the Purple Flag steering group with prizes of a £50, £30 and £20 vouchers and a pair of pantomime tickets to be awarded. Pictures taken in restaurants, bars, leisure facilities such as ten pin bowling and night clubs as well as on the late night buses will all count.

Being a Purple Flag town means Mansfield has been assessed by independent inspectors and an awards panel from the Association of Town and City Management (ATCM) as a place where people of all ages can enjoy a safe night out.

It was first awarded its Purple Flag in 2014 and after a successful light touch assessment last year, a new full application now has to be made again.

In its 2016 application, the Purple Flag steering group will be highlighting the opening of new restaurants and bars, increases in the number of people enjoying the night time economy, being granted £10,000 by Heritage Lottery to investigate future uses for the Town Mill and reaching the finals of a national award for community safety projects among other things.

Work to help keep people safe and informed on a night out, including employing street marshals, signage about the Public Spaces Protection Order, gating and communications work have all benefited from funding from Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Paddy Tipping, awarded via Mansfield Community Partnership.

Mansfield’s Purple Flag steering group involves representatives from Mansfield Association of Licensed Venues (MALV), Mansfield BID, Mansfield District Council, Mansfield Community Partnership (formerly MPAC) and the police. Other organisations which contribute to the town centre experience also play a role in the work.

Dave Wilson, who is heading up the steering group on behalf of Mansfield BID, said: “Significant improvements have been made since the first application two years ago.

“The increase in businesses in Mansfield and the growing numbers of people coming to enjoy a night out here show that we deserve Purple Flag status and that it is of benefit.

“We are delighted that town centre businesses are continuing to support us as we work towards a new Purple Flag award and we hope everyone has a great time on Saturday. Show us by uploading your photos.”

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