13 October 2026
The city’s Business Improvement District (BID), GO! Southampton is marking a five-year commitment to night-time safety in the city centre this October for Purple Flag month.
Purple Flag is an internationally recognised accreditation awarded by the Association of Town & City Management (ATCM) to towns and cities that demonstrate excellence in managing their evening and night-time economy.
Thanks to support from GO! Southampton, the city has achieved “Purple Flag” status for the fourth year in a row in 2026 – and is now aiming for a 5th year in 2027 as it prepares to renew its commitment this winter.
October is Purple Flag Month, an initiative run by ATCM to throw a spotlight on towns and cities that really do go above and beyond for night-time safety.
It’s the perfect opportunity for GO! Southampton to demonstrate how it has worked closely with businesses and community partners to deliver a range of initiatives aimed at enhancing visitor safety and wellbeing to help secure Purple Flag status.
Successes in Southampton’s submission for Purple Flag has previously included praise for the strong partnership working in Southampton, co-ordinated by Operation Defender’s briefings involving the city’s well-established Street Pastors, CCTV, universities and on-the-ground staff, including security. Also, in January 2026, GO! Southampton hosted its very first Night-Time Economy Conference at the O2 Guildhall in January, uniting businesses and partners at the forefront of the nigh time economy.
Purple Flag is just one of the partner initiatives, GO! Southampton facilitates to support the night-time economy sector. The BID supports businesses with application processes as well as long-term lighting projects in Oxford Street and Carlton Place.
Sharon Snober, Manager at CRIB said: “The BID has been instrumental in supporting the businesses with planning issues and have helped CRIB gain our temporary planning extension allowing us to stay open later. This along with their work on obtaining the Purple Flag accreditation is critical to the growth of the night-time economy.”
As well as recently piloting new Facial Recognition technology in clubs and bars, the ongoing ‘Red Card’ scheme includes all of Southampton’s Licensing Link premises, on the basis of ‘banned from one, banned from all’ for individuals whose behaviour falls short of the standards expected at licensed premises.
Rich Gilbert, Owner of Café Parfait and 1932 said: “The GO! team are instrumental in running the city’s ‘Red card’ scheme as well as helping market nightlife in the city. Two huge factors in ensuring the survival of the night-time economy in Southampton.”
Jade McCauley-Deehan, Operations Manager of GO! Southampton said: “We’ve retained our status for four consecutive years, which is something we’re hugely proud of and we hope to achieve the same result again next year.
“The accreditation recognises how hospitality, entertainment, transport and support services come together to provide a safe, welcoming and enjoyable experience for everyone visiting the city after dark.”
The BID’s ballot will take place from 30 October – 26 November 2026, giving BID levy payers the opportunity to vote on whether they want GO! Southampton to continue delivering services and improvements for another five‑year term.
Businesses can read the full plan and find ballot information at www.gosouthampton.co.uk/ballot
Help shape Southampton after dark by completing this short survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/H7RVVLT
