Five year plan for Pride

Plans to secure the future of Pride in Brighton & Hove for the next five years, have been approved by the city council.

The organisers of Pride, Brighton Pride Community Interest Company (BPCIC), has applied to the council for permission to run the event until 2020. Approval from the council will enable the organisers to plan ahead and secure sponsorship.

BPCIC has asked the council for permission to stage events in Preston Park and St James Street over the first weekend in August each year.

The five year application includes some variations to the current licence. They include:

Restricting access to areas of the park between Thursday and Monday for setting up and dismantling and to improve health and safety
Including the play area in the festival site to create a family area
Options for an event in the park on Friday night and a possible family event on Sunday
Permission for the Pride Village party in the St James Street area
Permission to explore the possibility of using Madeira Drive as a ‘decanting space’ after the village party finishes

Councillors were asked to approve the application, and give the council’s Assistant Chief Executive the authority to agree the final arrangements following consultation with residents, businesses and ward councillors.

This year’s event, which included a new format for managing the evening party in Kemp Town, went well with record attendances (more than 33,000 people) and record contributions for charity.

Arrests and incidents of anti-social behaviour were down and significant fall in the number of glass injuries.

The evaluation of the event is still ongoing, but concerns raised by residents have included underage drinking in other parts of Preston Park, and problems with access arrangements at the end of St James Street.

The proposals also include setting up a new community fund to support community projects in Preston Park and the St James Street area.

Chair of the Economic Development and Culture Committee Councillor Geoffrey Bowden said;

“Pride is one of the city’s biggest and most successful annual events and, as well as being popular with residents, attracts thousands of visitors to Brighton & Hove each year.

We are pleased to approve BPCIC’s plans and welcome the event to the city for the next five years.

“Not only will this long term plan enable the organisers to secure funding and sponsorship, it will also give the council the opportunity to ensure that plans are in place to meet the demands of such a large event and ensure that Pride remains a safe, sustainable and successful celebration.”

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