12 February 2026
Southampton is once again flying the Purple Flag after retaining its prestigious night-time safety interim renewal accreditation for another year.
Similar to the Blue Flag awarded to beaches, and Green Flag awarded to parks, the Purple Flag is awarded by the Association of Town & City Management (ATCM) and recognises those who help create a vibrant and safe evening and night-time economy.
The flag celebrates Southampton’s after-dark offer across cinemas, theatres, cafés, bars and live entertainment venues that bring the city to life each night.
Key successes in Southampton’s submission included:
- Launch of the Miracle Street Bus, significantly boosting safeguarding across the night-time hotspots, especially during Freshers Week
- The diverse events calendar, including the new City Reflections event, which utilises the heritage assets in the city
- Creative uses of historic spaces, like God’s House Tower, which is an excellent example of how the city balances preserving its past whilst fostering new cultural activity
To unite business and partners at the forefront of the industry, GO! Southampton also hosted its very first Night-Time Economy Conference at the O2 Guildhall in January. The event provided a space to discuss current trends and issues and form new partnerships. Amongst a number of guest speakers and stands, Michael Kill, CEO of the Night-Time Industries Association, opened the conference and spoke about the future of the industry, including the current threat of business rates.
Operations Manager at GO! Southampton Jade McCauley said: “We’ve retained our status for four years now – something we’re hugely proud of. It’s thanks to the hard work of my colleagues, our partners and local businesses that we’re flying the Purple Flag for another year.
“The accreditation recognises how hospitality, entertainment, transport and support services come together to provide a great night out for residents, visitors and students alike. Hosting our first Night-Time Economy conference was another important step forward. It gave us the opportunity to bring partners together, share insight, and look ahead at how we can continue to support and strengthen the sector.”
Councillor Toqeer Kataria, Cabinet Member for Communities & Safer City at Southampton City Council, said: “Our Purple Flag status is a clear reflection of the strong partnerships and dedicated work taking place across Southampton to ensure our city is safe, welcoming, and vibrant after dark. This achievement directly supports Southampton City Council’s City Plan priority to create a Safer Southampton, where residents, students, workers, and visitors can enjoy the city with confidence. We’re proud of the continued collaboration that makes this possible and remain committed to building a night‑time environment where everyone feels safe and supported.”
There are over 90 Purple Flag destinations around the globe across the UK, Ireland, Sweden, Malta, New Zealand and Australia from world renowned tourist destinations to small market towns. Purple Flag has represented the gold standard of evening and night time economy management for 16 years.
