THERE was good news on the double this afternoon when it was announced that Tralee had retained its Gold Medal in the Tralee Tidy Towns competition and has also has been awarded Purple Flag status.
The Gold Medal is the sixth in a row for Tralee and is testament to the amazing work being carried out by Tralee Tidy Towns, Team Bramble, Kerry County Council and other volunteers. They actually raised their points total from 312 to 314.
The Purple Flag confirms the commitment to ensuring that Kerry’s capital town has a safe, vibrant and well-managed night-time economy.
Continued below…
Full details of the assessor/panel result will be sent to the Tralee Purple Flag Committee in October and the formal presentation of the Purple Flag accreditation will take place at an award ceremony in Norwich, England in November.
The aim of the Purple Flag is to increase footfall into town centres, lower crime and improve the night time experience.
In a team approach, the Garda, Kerry County Council, vintners and other representatives of the hospitality sector were involved in a comprehensive application process which was led by Tralee Chamber Alliance.
The Chief Executive of Tralee Chamber Alliance, Kieran Ruttledge, said: “Purple Flag destinations distinguish themselves by being vibrant and well-managed and this achievement will give Tralee a much needed boost. We were very happy with how Tralee was presented during the judges’ visit. They were particularly impressed by the facilities that the town has to offer families and the great range of drinking and dining options. Our Purple Flag coordinator, David Scott, and his team deserve much credit for their tireless efforts over the past number of months to prepare the application and the Judges’ tour of Tralee. Their hard work has paid-off and now the onus is on everyone in Tralee to ensure that we retain the Purple Flag into the future.”
The Mayor of Tralee, Cllr Norma Foley, said: “A vibrant Evening and Night Time Economy (ENTE) will further enhance the town centre of Tralee, helping to create a stimulating destination providing a safe, secure environment, with a broad choice and rich mix of entertainment and other activities. The pulling power will change throughout the evening, appealing to a range of age groups, including families, and will be accessible to all, whilst protecting the quality of life for locals and the interests of other businesses.”
Two judges visited Tralee in July and throughout a weekend assessment, the judges toured the area within a circuit from The Rose Hotel to Tralee Bay Wetlands to North Circular Road and back to Fels Point, covering pubs, hotels and restaurants, Siamsa Tíre Theatre, KDYS and Tralee Town Park.