Steering group drives Melton's bid for Purple Flag award to boost evening economy

Representatives from Melton Council, Leicestershire Police and local businesses are all working together to achieve the Purple Flag, considered to be the ‘gold standard’ for town centres at night. If Melton is successful it’s hoped the award will see more people experiencing what the town centre area has to offer after 5pm, giving a boost to the evening economy.

Melton’s bid will be assessed on August 19.

Councillor Malise Graham, who is chairman of the Safer Melton Partnership and Purple Flag Steering Group, said “The Purple Flag would advertise that as well as Melton having a safe and thriving market town during the day we now have so much to offer in the evenings as well.”

Inspector Gavin Drummond, neighbourhood policing commander for Melton, said: “The hope is that by creating a better and safer night for the community to enjoy it will encourage people to support our local night-time economy by spending their evenings in the town centre.”

Mark Hallam, owner of Amici’s restaurant and vice-chairman of the Purple Flag Steering Group, added: “We’re very supportive of the Purple Flag scheme and think it will bring new life to the town centre. We’re doing a lot of research into what makes other towns popular at night so we can look to develop these ideas in Melton.”