Towns purple flag in need of an extra push
Six months have passed since Mullingar received the Purple Flag, a symbol awarded to towns that have a buzzing and safe night time economy.
A 'meet and walk’ event was held in Market Square to remind people what Mullingar has to offer after sundown.
There was music on the street performed by Lee Brady, while others were embarking on a 'Purple Flag walk’ led by Ruth Illingworth.
However, there was an overriding sense that more needs to be done to market Mullingar, and to build on what we already have here.
“We all know that Dublin is booming at the moment but we need it to spread out into rural Ireland,” said Jim Burke of the Purple Flag committee.
“We all agree that we’re coming out of a recession but I think we all have to work a bit harder to get people into town. We must prove in Mullingar town that we have value for money, that we have a better service, and also we need to improve our marketing of the town.
“The Purple Flag proves that Mullingar is a great place to be, for its shopping, restaurants, hotels, pubs and clubs and enjoying the drinks and music. It also proves that it’s a safe town to be in with the gardaí and CCTV,” he stated.
President of Mullingar Chamber of Commerce, Brigid Manley, pointed out that we are the first town in the midlands to join the purple standard.
“Only 10 towns in Ireland have been awarded Purple Flag status. In Mullingar we have an enviable offering and something for everyone, for families, to students, to businesses. We have a great cultural offering with theatres, art galleries, live music venues. Together as a united voice we will let people know what we have here in Mullingar.”
Declan Leonard of Westmeath County Council said a lot of work needed to be done to reap the rewards of the Purple Flag status and offered that if a coffee shop were to stay open, the people would come.
Anna May Bradley of Ennell Jewellers raised the issue of parking when talking to the Westmeath Examiner. “Parking in Mullingar – something has to be done about it. If we got two hours free parking on the street each morning it would make a huge difference. Elderly people come into the shop, they’re panicking in case they get a ticket. Even if the shops have to donate, I would be open for that.
“In Westport it [parking] is free. We’re paying all these rates, customers are coming into shop in the town, there has to be a bit of leeway with the council,” she said.
Eamonn Brady of Whelehans Pharmacy said the fact that Mullingar is the only town in the midlands to achieve Purple Flag status is a great reflection of the town.
“We have a great night life here, we have live music, bars are busy, it’s safe, there’s always lots of taxis. Hopefully all the businesses do get behind it and support the Purple Flag status. And the people of the town as well. Get the flag up and get the message out there.”
Denis Hogan, Harbour Place Shopping Centre, said the process of achieving the Purple Flag did a lot for partnership between the council, gardaí and the shopkeepers.
“They all came together for a common purpose. Now it’s all about building on the links that we’ve made,” said Mr Hogan. “I think we need to recognise our strengths and acknowledge our weaknesses. For example we have beautiful lakes and it would be great if we could walk around them apart from the short trails. That would bring people from a long way away.
“We could do with pedestrianisation and making it easier for people to park here. Parking is an issue and getting around the town is an issue as in most medium sized towns. We need to make it easier for the people, when they do come, to get around.”