Purple Flag partnership to make our town centre better

Partners from the council, police and local Pubwatch scheme are working together to make the town centre safer and more attractive to all.

Bury has recently been awarded Purple Flag status for the third year running, which recognises the quality of the town’s evening and night-time economy.

Bury is the only town centre in Greater Manchester to have won this national accreditation, in recognition of such attractions as The Met, the East Lancashire Railway and the food and drink offer at The Rock.

Late night entertainment is provided via the pubs, clubs and late venues, and the Bury Pubwatch group brings together licensees and venue staff on a monthly basis.

At its last meeting, members highlighted ways in which venues can work together on issues such as drug and alcohol awareness, and how to detect and deal with child sexual exploitation and other suspicious activities that could affect vulnerable people.

The session also provided information about the recently improved Bury Business Against Crime radio scheme. This links businesses with the council’s CCTV control centre and the police so that incidents can be dealt with quickly. It is also used by the Bury Street Pastors team which supports vulnerable people on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Lorraine Beckett Murray, chair of the Bury Pubwatch group, said: “Funding was secured through the Police and Crime Commissioners office to upgrade the existing BBAC radio scheme and, by working closely with Bury Council and Pennine, who supply the radio equipment, we have a much improved and more responsive system. Pubwatch are determined to work together to ensure that our town centre venues offer a safe enjoyable night out and increased use of the enhanced radio system will help to achieve this.

“We want to send a message to those who want to cause any trouble or upset in our town that they are not welcome and we will continue our close partnership working to ensure that Bury town centre is a safe environment.”

Cllr Judith Kelly, the council’s cabinet member for corporate affairs and regulatory services, said: “Bury continues to lead the way with an ever expanding night time economy offering entertainment for all age groups. The safety of our residents and visitors is important and we will continue to support and work with Pubwatch, the police and key agencies to achieve that as part of the wider Purple Flag initiative.”

ENDS

Press release issued: 18 July 2017.

Picture: The Pubwatch partnership – in the centre is council leader Rishi Shori, with (to his right) Lorraine Beckett Murray, Pubwatch chair, and Pat Jones-Greenhalgh, interim council chief executive; on his left are Sgt Carolyn Jones of GM Police; Michael Bridge, head of licensing at the council; and David Fowler, assistant director (localities).