ENNIS HAS retained its Purple Flag accreditation, a recognition of its commitment to creating a dynamic and secure evening and night-time economy.
This award highlights Ennis’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. The Purple Flag aims to raise the standard and broaden the appeal of town and city centres between the hours of 5pm to 5am.
According to the adjudication panel, key successes in Ennis’s submission include an impressive offer of events. Ennis Trad Fest, together with the very well organised Teen Events at the Queens Nightclub were singled out for special mention.
Adjudicators also praised the work of Ennis Tidy Towns Committee, for maintaining consistently high standards, in particular the retention of the tidiest large urban area in Ireland award for 2022. The panel was also excited by the plans for the new library, currently under construction, with its option for access outside normal hours.
There are 100 Purple Flag destinations around the globe, across the UK, Ireland, Sweden, New Zealand, and Australia. They vary in size from 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.
Chair of the Purple Flag committee in Ennis, Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) who drove Ennis’ initial application for Purple Flag accreditation back in 2012 recalled, “Ennis and Dublin became the first two locations in Ireland to successfully achieve Purple Flag Status and since then have been joined by many Irish towns and cities including Sligo, Drogheda, Cork, Galway, Waterford and Mullingar”.
He added, “The landscape of the evening and night-time economy has significantly changed since the pandemic. This is not unique to Ennis. We see many establishments now open midweek through to Sunday, and studies show that consumers are not staying out as late as before. In the context of the Purple Flag the committee, which includes business representatives, senior Garda personnel, senior Clare County Council administrative staff representing Ennis Municipal District, elected members of Ennis Municipal District and Ennis Chamber, we will monitor key stats, keep a watchful eye on the continued vibrancy of our evening and night-time economy, plus the continued safety of our town centre at night”.
Margaret O’Brien, CEO Ennis Chamber and Purple Flag co-ordinator for Ennis commented. “The fact we have retained our Purple Flag status, is welcome news. That said, today marks the first day of working towards achieving full accreditation in 2024.
“This year’s interim application and assessment depended on adjudicators being satisfied with the up-to-date data and report we provided, including crime stats within the relevant evening and night-time hours, vacancy rates, a report on the current mix of businesses operating in our night-time economy. However, next year’s assessment will be adjudicated in-person by two independent assessors, who will conduct an overnight assessment in Ennis. Preparations for this assessment will begin in October”.
