York hen do status recognition welcomed by firm’s boss

Matt Mavir the managing director of Last Night of Freedom, which helps organise stag and hen dos, made the comments after City of York Council’s economy executive member Cllr Pete Kilbane said last month that hen dos tend to be held in York rather than elsewhere in the North because of its Purple Flag status.

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Cllr Kilbane told councillors the standards which had to be met to receive the designation had helped to create a safe environment in the city centre and deter problematic behaviour.

It came after the local Business Improvement District (BID) took over the management of the Purple Flag designation from York Council in 2023.

The status, awarded by the Association of Town and City Management (ATCM), is an internationally-recognised designation similar to Blue Flag awards to coastal towns for high beach standards.

Cllr Pete Kilbane Mr Mavir said: “We’ve been saying for years that York is one of a kind and it’s continued to be one of our most popular places for hens to let their hair down and enjoy partying with their pals.

“It’s a gorgeous city with friendly, welcoming locals and incredible businesses – no wonder hens keep choosing it.

“I’m glad that fact is now being recognised by local leaders, instead of the regular demonisation of the industry we’ve seen in recent years.

“Thankfully for businesses in the city, those efforts to single out hen parties haven’t forced our customers to go elsewhere.

“Instead, booking numbers are as strong as ever and York is once again in the top five hen party destinations in all of Europe.

“Visitors to York enjoy its vintage charm, chic independent businesses, stunning architecture and even attractions about its spooky past.

“Hens can indulge in a spot of retail therapy, visit some of the north’s best nightspots or take part in hilarious activities like dance classes, nude life drawing or even hiring butlers in the buff.”

Matt Mavir (Image: Last Night of Freedom) According to the firm only Liverpool, Belfast and Newcastle were more popular than York for hen dos in 2024.

In terms of bookings, it blew Yorkshire neighbour Leeds and cross-Pennine rivals Manchester out of the water and beat European destinations like Benidorm and the former winner, Dublin.

The full top ten hen do locations sees Dublin ranked fifth followed in order or preference by Manchester, Edinburgh, Benidorm, London and Brighton.