Chelmsford is celebrating, for the fourth year running, achieving the prestigious Purple Flag status for its evening and night-time economy (ENTE).

Purple Flag is a town and city centre award, like the Blue Flag for beaches, which aims to raise the standard and broaden the appeal of town and city centres between the hours of 17pm 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.

Councillor Susan Sullivan, Cabinet Member for Safer Communities said: “I am delighted that Chelmsford has been awarded this status, it shows what a wonderful night time economy and venues that we have in our city.

“With the recent developments and opening of new restaurants in Chelmsford we have an even better offering for our night time economy.”

Since 2007, the programme has awarded the Purple Flag status to over 70 towns and cities in the UK and Ireland.

Purple Flag accredited areas have all reported a consistent increase in footfall and a decrease in crime within the ENTE.

The Purple Flag programme is managed by the Association of Town and City Management (ATCM) which works alongside a partnership of key stakeholder groups backed by Government, police and businesses, as well as the UK sponsors Diageo Great Britain.

Sarah Walker Purple Flag Programme Manager at the ATCM said: "There are now over 70 towns and cities across the UK and Ireland who are proudly flying the Purple Flag after working hard to gain accreditation.

“The award is not just about safety, but also the vibrancy and diversity of the evening and night-time offer, this can only be achieved by people working together in a strong partnership to which we are seeing great examples of across the country”