Mullingar retains Purple Flag status

Mullingar Chamber of Commerce and Westmeath County Council have announced that the town has retained the prestigious Purple Flag accreditation for its evening and night-time economy (ENTE).

Purple Flag is a town and city centre award (similar to the Blue Flag for beaches) which aims to raise the standard and broaden the appeal of town and city centres between the hours of 5pm and 5am. Areas awarded the Purple Flag are recognised for providing a vibrant and diverse mix of dining, entertainment and culture while promoting the safety and wellbeing of visitors and residents.

Brigid Manley, president of Mullingar Chamber of Commerce, said: “We are proud to fly the Purple Flag, reflecting the strength of ongoing partnerships and engagement activities with all key stakeholders. 

“Westmeath County Council made this possible by funding the bid through the Marketing Mullingar Initiative 2017. This was a team effort and we would like to thank Kingdom of Sports, Mullingar Tidy Towns, The Greville Arms Hotel and Dominick Street Traders WhatsApp Group, Mullingar Garda, and the Town Team, among others, for their collaboration. 

“Mullingar will promote the Purple Flag, using it as a stepping stone in our continuing development of a vibrant evening and night time environment which is safe and well managed.”

Ms Manley said that towns that are well structured and organised will be best placed to meet the challenges we face in the coming years and achieving the Purple Flag Status puts Mullingar on a firm footing. 

“Mullingar Chamber of Commerce welcome the assessor’s special note that ‘Private sector knowledge and promotion of Purple Flag was impressive. Businesses clearly understood Purple Flag’s value and purpose. The Chamber’s efforts with education and promotion should be acknowledged’.”

Pat Gallagher, the chief executive of Westmeath County Council, said: “On behalf of Westmeath County Council, I would like to express my delight that Mullingar has again achieved the Purple Flag accreditation. The council is happy to be associated with and to support this initiative. 

“The retention of the Purple Flag can only enhance the appeal of Mullingar both as a destination for visitors and as an attractive place to live and work. 

“I would like to thank Mullingar Chamber, the business community and all the stakeholders who worked together to bring this about. The Purple Flag is internationally recognised and Mullingar can be proud that it’s evening and night time economy has successfully met the criteria to gain this prestigious award.”