September 23, 2026 - 238 views
Llandudno has become the first destination in North Wales to receive Purple Flag accreditation, recognising the town’s evening and night-time economy.
The internationally recognised scheme highlights destinations that provide a diverse range of entertainment, culture, dining and leisure opportunities while maintaining a strong focus on safety, cleanliness and the visitor experience.
The accreditation makes Llandudno only the third destination in Wales to achieve Purple Flag status, following Cardiff and Swansea.
It also gives the seaside resort a unique distinction within the scheme – Llandudno is believed to be the first Purple Flag-accredited destination in the world to have a pier within its boundary.
The successful application was led by Conwy County Borough Council, with funding from the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund helping to establish a multi-agency Purple Flag Working Group and support the submission.
Assessors highlighted the contribution of Venue Cymru, which attracts visitors throughout the year with its programme of entertainment and cultural events.
They also recognised Llandudno’s natural attractions and the partnership between local organisations, businesses and public services in supporting the town’s evening and night-time economy.
The work of the volunteer Tidy Team was also praised. Members work alongside the council’s Streetscene service to help keep the town clean and welcoming for residents and visitors.
Councillor Sharon, Conwy’s Cabinet Member for a Sustainable Economy and Communications, said the accreditation was recognition of the work carried out by organisations and individuals across Llandudno.
She said the award demonstrated a commitment to creating a safe, welcoming and vibrant evening and night-time economy, while thanking members of the Purple Flag Working Group and local businesses, volunteers and partner organisations.
Purple Flag accreditation covers the period between 5pm and 5am and is intended to encourage towns and cities to improve their evening offer.
There are currently around 100 accredited destinations across the UK, Ireland, Sweden, Malta, New Zealand and Australia, ranging from major cities and tourist destinations to smaller market towns.
The Purple Flag programme was developed following the Civic Trust’s Night Vision report in 2006 and is now managed by the Association of Town & City Management.
The council says the accreditation is not the end of the process, with further work still needed to address challenges facing Llandudno and build on the areas identified during the assessment.
UK night-time economy consumer spending was worth an estimated £136.5 billion in 2022 and supported 2.08 million workers, underlining the importance of the sector to local economies.
