Reading awarded Purple Flag accreditation for 2023

READING’S venues have been recognised with a prestigious award denoting vibrant and diverse cultural and culinary offerings.

The Business Improvement District has been awarded Purple Flag status for 2023, which recognises safety and quality of a range of different venues and businesses.

Reading BID works closely with licensed premises, Reading Borough Council, Thames Valley Police, ambulance and community safety crews, and notable institutions such as Reading Buses and the University of Reading to create a cohesive partnership.

This sees venues and organisations around Reading to collaborate on planning, keep customers safe, and maintain a high quality of services from premises.

The award seeks to raise the standards of venues and businesses in town and city centres during the night-time, between 5pm and 5am.

The BID has supported a number of venues in the night-time economy including providing 11 defibrillators in various businesses, thousands of drink testing kits, hi-viz clothing for staff, and recycling initiatives.

Sports session for Whitley children

mould and condensation and information has been circulated in our resident newsletters and on our website.

“The family recently reported issues of mould to us, and our contractors attended and carried out work to remove it, and offered the family advice on reducing the likelihood of mould in the future.

“They will return in a month to check if the property is still clear of mould. Unfortunately, mould can occur in bathrooms where humidity is higher and also in properties that are overcrowded.

“We hope that a larger property becomes available for the family soon.” n For more information, contact: 0118 937 3894 or reading.childrencentres@ brighterfuturesforchildren.org

CHILDREN in South Reading will be treated to a fun-filled sports event at Whitley Children’s Centre.

Organised by Sport 4 Kids, the half-term session is open to children aged 18 months and older.

Youngsters will have the opportunity to learn and practise new physical skills and activities in the high-energy meet-up.

It runs from 1pm-1.45pm on Friday. Parents or guardians are required to book places in advance.

Pancake event

of the family’s situation since 2021.

They said: “We registered them on our internal transfer property site, Home Connections, in hopes that they would find a four-bedroom home to accommodate their family.

“It has been several years since a four-bedroom home has become available in Reading due to scarcity of social housing, particularly larger properties.

“In early 2022, we widely publicised to our tenants the importance of reporting damp,

The council spokesperson confirmed that the family entered its housing needs registry last year.

They said: “The family have been given priority based on their circumstances.

“However social housing is in short supply and the shortage is very acute when it comes to larger sized properties – therefore it could take a considerable amount of time before they can be rehoused through this route.” n For more information, visit: www.i-care2018.co.uk

The spokesperson added that the family can seek alternative accommodation using the website Homeswapper.

A COMMUNITY group is inviting residents to its event to mark Shrove Tuesday. iCare 2018 Social Club will welcome guests to Whitley Wood Community Centre for an afternoon of food, drink, bingo and live entertainment.

Visitors will have the opportunity to share the day with friends and family while also meeting new people.

The event takes place from noon-4pm on Thursday, February 23.

It also works with schemes such as Best Bar None to audit venues and has supported the Ask For Angela initiative to promote quality and safety in Reading’s nightlife.

Alexa Volker, Reading BID’s manager, said “We are proud of the partnerships we have developed in support of Reading’s night-time economy and all they have achieved.

“Venues demonstrated the importance they place on the safety and security of all visitors and staff across the broad range of offerings of a night out in Reading.”

Chief inspector at Thames Valley Police Emma Tompkins said: “I am delighted to see that the hard work and passion of our Reading Partnerships have been recognised in this prestigious Purple Flag Award.

“We were very proud to show the assessors the efforts that TVP, working with our partners, will go to in continuing to keep Reading a safe place for everyone to enjoy an evening out. #OneReading”

Purple Flag assessors noted strong partnership between parties, “clear buy-in” from both members of the public and from businesses, and responsible attitudes to care and hospitality among venues and organisations.

Reading was also given the accreditation for three years running between 2017-2019.

Cllr Karen Rowland, lead member for environmental services and community safety at RBC, said: “This welldeserved Purple Flag award is not just about the fact that we are working hard to ensure our night-time offerings are safe for everyone.

“It also celebrates the vibrancy and diversity of our evening and night-time offer.”

She continued: “Having won the award before, this is proof that Reading’s team never rests on its laurels.”

“I’m pleased that the good work continues with a focus on ensuring that women and young people feel secure in taking advantage of the everincreasing options available in Reading.

“Reading can be justifiably proud to have earned this award, achieved by many working closely together, and I congratulate everyone involved for their hard work to gain this accreditation.”

Purple Flag accreditation is awarded by the Association of Town & City Management to town centres that meet the standards of excellence in managing the evening and night-time economy.