Olympic hero to launch Purple Flag Week

Olympic medallist Helen Richardson is to join forces with Nottingham school children to officially launch national Purple Flag Week.
 
It was confirmed last week that Nottingham had been chosen as the launch destination for the event after devising the idea of Purple Flag Week last year. The initiative aims to highlight the Purple Flag scheme, which is an accreditation from the Association of Town Centre Management (ATCM) recognising those cities and towns that offer a varied and safe night out.
 
Locations across the country, including Bristol, Liverpool and Belfast, will take part in Purple Flag Week, which runs between 22 and 30 September. Events, including night time markets, concerts and festivals, will all take place.
 
Celebrations begin on 21 September, when bronze medal winning Helen, vice-captain of Team GB women’s hockey team, joins children from Blue Bell Hill Primary School in St Ann’s to release 250 purple balloons in Trinity Square.
 
Each balloon will entitle whoever finds it to a prize or special offer at venues across the city centre, including a meal for two at Jamie’s Italian and Sunday lunch and a bottle of wine at The Castle Pub. A limited number will contain a VIP trip to another Purple Flag location. These trips include an overnight stay in London and tickets to see Billy Elliot, a weekend in Bristol and a £50 shopping voucher, and a visit to Halifax, including a makeover at Harveys Department Store.

Commenting on her involvement, Helen said: “Having grown up in West Bridgford, Nottingham is home. We should all be proud that the city is helping to influence things at a national level, with Purple Flag Week being a prime example.
 
“I can’t wait to come back to the city and to help get the celebrations underway.”

We Are Nottingham Leisure, the Business Improvement District (BID) for licensed premises in the city centre, is behind the event. Chairman David Lucas added:
 
“We’re excited that Helen has given her support to the launch. Helen, along with the rest of Team GB and Paralympics GB, has given the country a summer to remember, helping to unite the nation and inspire many – a spirit that Purple Flag Week aims to capture too. We look forward to welcoming her back to Nottingham.”
 
Nottingham recently retained its Purple Flag status for a third consecutive year. Its success is down to a collaborative effort between We Are Nottingham Leisure, Community Protection, Nottingham City Council, Nottinghamshire Police, Nottingham Businesses Against Crime and the Nottingham Crime and Drugs Partnership Team, as well as other city centre partners.
 
For more information on the work of We Are Nottingham Leisure, visit www.wearenottingham.co.uk. Further details on the Purple Flag accreditation scheme can be found at www.purpleflag.org.uk.