St Helens town centre celebrates fifth Purple Flag Award
Retention of the prestigious Purple Flag Award is being celebrated in St Helens town centre as Night Time Economy partners continue to make it a great place to visit.
Article date: 4 November 2026
It's the fifth consecutive year that the town centre has secured the award, an international accreditation programme that recognises those who achieve safe and thriving locations at night for all visitors.
Clinching the Purple Flag means that judges recognised the vibrant and diverse mix of dining, entertainment and culture on offer in St Helens town centre while also promoting the safety and wellbeing of visitors and residents.
As part of the assessment, Purple Flag assessors visited St Helens town centre on a Friday night in July, alongside council officers, Merseyside Police and representatives from St Helens Pubwatch.
Assessors noted the town centre being well represented by traditional pubs and bars, with Westfield Street offering a strong late-night offer, the early evening offer becoming stronger and the evening economy becoming more family-focused.
Assessors remarked upon the effectiveness of both Merseyside Police and the council commissioned Night Time Economy Wardens in creating a safer space, saying "it was clear that they were engaged, open and approachable. The public came up to them with issues and identified potential problems that could be dealt with, nipping them in the bud in an effective manner."
They also praised the council's positive and proactive licensing and regulation, which they said created "a common goal and an open dialogue on serious issues, such as spiking incidents and ASB. These were addressed in such an effective manner it should be a case study in effective partnership working on the most serious of issues."
Councillor Sharon Roughley, Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, said:
"To achieve Purple Flag status for a fifth consecutive year is a fantastic accomplishment and a testament to the strong partnership working that takes place across St Helens town centre.
"This award recognises the hard work of our businesses, Merseyside Police, Pubwatch members, Night Time Economy Wardens and council teams who work together to ensure St Helens town centre remains safe, welcoming and enjoyable.
"It's particularly pleasing that assessors recognised the positive impact of our collaborative approach to tackling issues such as anti-social behaviour and the safety of women, as well as the growing diversity of our evening offer.
"As we continue to invest in our borough and support businesses to thrive, retaining Purple Flag status demonstrates that St Helens is a destination where people can enjoy a great night out with confidence."
The Purple Flag accreditation programme is managed by the Association of Town and City Management, which is endorsed by The Home Office, police and businesses. Areas with the accreditation report a consistent increase in footfall and a decrease in crime in the evening and night-time economy.