Darlington town centre night out wins prestigious award
The Association of Town and City Management (ATCM) has granted the town the prestigious purple flag status, following a ‘rigorous assessment process’.
This accolade is handed out to only 80 destinations worldwide, recognising a vibrant, secure, and dynamic evening and night-time economy.
The award, similar to the Blue Flag for beaches and Green Flag for parks, aims to elevate the standard and widen the appeal of town and city centres between 5pm and 5am.
The award celebrates Darlington’s ‘blend of entertainment, dining, and culture’, along with the ‘safety and well-being of its residents and visitors’.
Assessors commended the town’s regeneration projects and efforts to enhance active travel.
Councillor Chris McEwan, cabinet member for economy, said: “Purple Flag represents the gold standard in the management of evening and night-time economies and we are delighted to have retained our accreditation, which is an outward sign that Darlington is a great place to live, visit or work.
“The ‘after dark’ economy is a key part of our local economic strategy, and we remain committed to attracting more businesses and investment to the town centre and continuing to develop our growing and vibrant town scene.
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“We will continue to work with our partners to ensure that Darlington is a welcoming and safe place for all and to establish the town as a destination of choice for people looking for something to do on an evening.”
Darlington’s restaurant week is set to take place at the end of February, with several cafés, bars and restaurants in the town centre offering deals.
For more information, visit the ‘What’s On’ section of the Enjoy Darlington website.