The Purple Flag is now officially flying in Carrick on
Shannon. The Purple Flag Award is a new initiative given to towns that offer
residents and visitors an enjoyable, vibrant evening and night time economy. The Flag was formally raised on Friday
evening last by the McGloin Family with the Cathaoirleach John McCartin. The
McGloin family were selected to raise the Purple Flag following a media campaign
in Leitrim Observer to select the family or individual who should have the
honour of jointly raising the flag. The Cathaoirleach brought the flag ashore aka the Milk Tray man.
Just as a Blue Flag indicates a beach is safe for swimming,
a Purple Flag indicates that a town is a safe and versatile place to spend an
evening out. A working group made up of
stakeholders from the local authority, business and hospitality sectors in
Carrick on Shannon worked throughout 2015 to achieve this status for the town. The Steering Group continues to meet to
ensure that the Flag is retained in future years.
As part of the application process a public perceptions
survey on the offering in the town was carried out during 2015 and over 200
people gave their perception of what Carrick on Shannon has to offer as a place
to go out at night. Over 80% of those surveyed felt that
their perception of the offering at night in Carrick on Shannon was good or
very good, 79% of
respondents felt that the town is welcoming for visitors while 62.9% perceived the town’s night
life to be varied and vibrant. The
town’s hospitality sector fared very well with 79% rating the selection of
bars, restaurants and cafes as good or excellent.
The main
reasons given for visiting the town at evening/night were eating out (63.5%),
pubs and bars (57%), shopping (27.3%), takeaway food (24%), leisure and
sporting facilities (22%) and cultural activities (20%).
There are
areas where, according to respondents, improvements could be made most notably
with regard to parking and signage with 55% of respondents feeling that signage
and information on access could be improved. These are currently being looked
at by groups set up at the end of 2015 – Marketing of Carrick on Shannon and
Retail in Carrick on Shannon.
The Survey
will be repeated again this year to ensure continued improvements in the town.