Wigan town centre is hoping to become a beacon of diversity and vibrancy by cementing Purple Flag status.
This excellence in managing the evening and night-time economy accreditation, if Wigan Council were to be successful in their bid, would demonstrate that the town centre is diverse, vibrant, safe, attractive and welcoming.
The authority says it is hoping that their collaboration with businesses in the town centre as well as their multiple regeneration projects will see this application accepted.
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Safety during the night-time economy in Wigan is something that the team involved in the application has been working towards improving, with investments in increased CCTV in the area over the last two years. They have also seen success establishing GMP officers on the streets, the Confident Places Scrutiny Committee was told.
Councillor Dane Anderton was hoping for longer term sustainable solutions to stopping anti-social behaviour on the streets at night and asked for assurances that the council would not rest on its laurels.
“This is not just about getting a badge and then stopping,” the officer responded. “We will be reassessed every year for this as well.”
The council are hopeful that their regeneration projects at Wigan Pier and The Galleries, the King Street Heritage Action Zone, the £16.7 million from the Future High Streets Fund and the “King Street Live-Work” currently ongoing will show their commitment to the continuing improvement of the town centre.
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Purple Flag accredited towns have all reported a consistent increase in footfall and a decrease in crime and anti-social behaviour within the night-time economy. It also provides a raised profile and an improved public image for the location and a more successful mixed-use economy in the longer term.
There are approximately 70 Purple Flag towns and cities across the UK, including Bury and most recently Stockport in Greater Manchester, and Wigan Council will be submitting their application in June 2022.
If this is successful, they are hoping to put in an application for Leigh town centre using the lessons learned from this one.
This sprung questions in the chamber from the councillors Danny Fletcher and Jamie Hodgkinson who represent Ashton and Atherton respectively, who asked why their towns were not thought of for such status.
They were told that the future plan is for all the towns in Wigan to be put up for Purple Flag status in the future.
