Bury town centre is flying the Purple Flag for the 10th year

Bury is celebrating as it proudly receives the Purple Flag accreditation for a tenth year, a recognition of its commitment to creating a dynamic, secure, and vibrant evening and night-time economy.

Purple Flag - similar to the Blue Flag for beaches – aims to raise the standard and broaden the appeal of town and city centres between the hours of 5pm to 5am. This prestigious award highlights Bury's blend of entertainment, dining, and culture, all while ensuring the safety and well-being of residents and visitors in the evening and night-time economy.

Councillor Charlotte Morris, cabinet member for culture, the economy and skills, said: “Bury was the first town in Greater Manchester to achieve Purple Flag status and we are delighted to retain this prestigious award in recognition of the ongoing work to ensure that Bury town centre offers a great evening and night out.”

The application highlighted the investment in the town centre which will see Bury Market Flexi-Hall and the proposals for Mill Gate shopping centre, plus the growing number of events which will bring an enhanced offer to the town centre.

Key successes in Bury’s submission included the strong and inclusive partnership representation, featuring senior figures from the council, Greater Manchester Police, public health, transport and the private sector, and clear evidence of integrated decision-making and initiatives.

The latest project to be introduced is the Business Crime Reporting (BCR) system. Led by Bury BID, this new app enables businesses to report and share incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour directly, providing real-time data to partners including Greater Manchester Police and Bury Council. The system aims to improve incident tracking, increase reporting, and support a more co-ordinated response across the town centre.

Looking ahead, Bury BID also plans to introduce a team of dedicated town centre wardens who will support businesses on the ground, report issues, and promote safer, cleaner streets. The BID will also continue hosting regular events—such as the Keeping Bury Safe initiative—to offer practical advice, training, and information sharing between businesses and key partners.

Nigel Shields, Town Centre Director of Bury BID, said: "Retaining Purple Flag status for a tenth year is a fantastic achievement and reflects the strong partnership work taking place in Bury. Through the launch of the BCR system, and with further initiatives like town centre wardens in the pipeline, Bury BID is committed to supporting a safe and welcoming town centre for everyone. We’re working closely with local businesses and partners to create an environment where our evening and night-time economy can continue to thrive."

ENDS

Press release issued: 18 June 2025.

Picture: Celebrating Bury’s tenth year of Purple Flag success are (left) Nigel Shields, town centre director of Bury BID, and (right) council leader Eamonn O’Brien, with street pastors, Greater Manchester Police and representatives from the night-time economy.

Note to Editors

There are 90 Purple Flag destinations around the globe across the UK, Ireland, Sweden, Malta, New Zealand and Australia. This includes world renowned tourist destinations to small market towns.

Purple Flag has represented the gold standard of the management of evening and night-time economies for nearly 15 years.