INSPECTORS who can award Purple Flag status next month will find Dunfermline’s night-time economy is booming. That’s according to Dunfermline Delivers, who are highlighting all that’s good about the town in a bid to keep the accolade.

From street pastors, safe zones and CCTV in taxis, through to a thriving arts hub, its parks, the first microbrewery and top-name entertainment, they’ve given reasons why it should be “recognised as the best small city in Scotland”.

The purple flag is given to towns and city centres that are recognised as a safe place to enjoy a night out and a renewal application has been made.

Dunfermline received the award in 2013 and with set requirements to meet, and inspectors due to visit early in on December 2 and 3, the Business Improvement District (BID) company are accentuating the positives.

In the application, BID manager Lisa Edwards stated that the “night-time economy has grown by 43 per cent in the last 12 months” with a wide choice of cafés, restaurants, bars, clubs and entertainment venues.

She said there was “an extensive range of eateries” with places like Caffè Nero, 82 High Street, Fire Station Creative, Incontri and The Bruery all opening since the last application.

The Bruery, Dunfermline’s only microbrewery, was highlighted, as well as another first for Dunfermline, the Fyfe Smokery in Bruce Street, while BID stated there was a “wide variety” of independent businesses and branded shops, and “colour and vibrancy” from the floral enhancements.

The BID company said PJ Molloys’ reputation for live music was growing all the time while nightclubs Lorenzo’s and Harlem, and the Alhambra Theatre and Carnegie Hall, continued to attract big names to perform here.

Pointing out that not everything shuts at 5pm, Ms Edwards said various cafés had launched early evening events with local acts or live music to attract late shoppers and said Fire Station Creative was open and “covering teatime for events and art exhibitions”.

She said Pittencrieff Park, with more than 800,000 visitors a year, was “now used from early morning to evening” with events at the Glen Pavilion “nearly every weekend”.

The ancient capital has its historical and cultural aspect, including Dunfermline Abbey, the Garden for Heroes and new plans for Abbot House, as well as the new £12.4 million museum and library to open next year.

On the safety side, she included the initiatives Operation Safe Night, a police-led operation to tackle anti-social behaviour and violence in the town centre; Pubwatch, 22 pubs and clubs are linked by radio and troublemakers banned from all premises; Safe Zone, set up at busy periods as a first aid post and to keep potentially vulnerable people safe on a night out; Safer Towns, a partnership to maintain Purple Flag requirements; Blue light events, street football and drug/alcohol-free discos for young people; and taxi marshals, who control queues at ranks and help patrons get home safely after a night out.

Ms Edwards said Dunfermline also had a festive safety campaign, street pastors – there’s currently a pilot for rail pastors too – extensive CCTV coverage in the town centre and cameras in taxis, and well-lit streets, car parks, public buildings, bus and railway stations.

The application stated that counter-terrorism training and personal safety talks had been given to staff in retail and the licensed trade, there would soon be three potentially life-saving Public Access Defibrillators in the town centre following the Press campaign, and digital displays and signage had all been improved.

The only other purple flag in Scotland was given to Aberdeen.

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