Better Town Centres at Night - Northern Ireland

ATCM's Better Town Centres at Night conference on the 1st December in Derry, Northern Ireland was met with great success!

Professionals from GB, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland converged on the City Hotel in Derry/Londonderry to explore what makes for success in town centres at night. The event was timely. It was an occasion to celebrate the achievement of four NI centres in gaining flags in the Purple Flag Accreditation Scheme and to look at what makes for success in creating clean, safe, vibrant and convivial centres at night. 

The occasion marked the conclusion of two years’ work by the Assoc. of Town Centre Management (ATCM) with the support of Northern Ireland Tourist Board, Pubs of Ulster, Dept. of Justice NI, PSNI, DSD, ATCMNI and in partnership with Belfast, Derry, Bangor and Enniskillen. Each had a special story to tell.

The four Purple Flag pathfinders were selected to “blaze a trail” for other centres in NI and beyond. They join a group of 25 destinations in the UK that have been awarded flags since the launch of the scheme by ATCM in October 2009.

Arlen Foster said “I congratulate Bangor, Belfast, Derry and Enniskillen on their success. The timing could scarcely be better, with the Titanic Centre opening in Belfast next year and Derry building up to its UK City of Culture celebrations in 2013. A successful night time economy is a key ingredient in the development of our tourism industry. I hope other centres in Northern Ireland will find inspiration in the work of these Purple Flag pathfinders.

Martin Blackwell, Chief Executive, ATCM said “I am delighted that all four pathfinders, Bangor, Belfast, Derry and Enniskillen, can fly the flag. The night time economy is a vital ingredient in town centre success. Each of the four has something special to offer local people and visitors alike”.