GAYBrighton.com

Brighton's best...

Discover Brighton

Brighton A-Z

Recommendations

search news

news & announcements...

community news

Brighton Pride "rescue package"

Monday, 16 November 2009

Wilde Ones, the production company responsible for putting on Brighton Pride's Preston Park event for the last ten years, has tabled an alternative to Pride's own proposed scaled back park event.

Pride in Brighton & Hove last week released a six page press release to 'put the record straight' about some of the facts and figures that are being argued over on the various Facebook groups. In the press release Pride states that the park event in its current format does not pay for itself which is the primary reason for the proposed cutbacks.

In its own 14 page press release Wilde Ones now outlines what it calls a 'business & community partnership' in which all of the 2009 park attractions would still be present in 2010 and costs entirely covered by donations at the entrance and sponsorship. They have asked Aeon Events, the company who currently hold the bar concessions for the existing Pride organisation - and the same company that is behind the Wild Fruit Dance tent, to become a partner for the event.

The proposal includes fencing of the park and a voluntary donation system at the gates. To encourage people to dig deep - free drinks vouchers would be offered for donations above a certain level. Bar prices on the park would be reduced, since the fencing would largely eliminate illegal alcohol vendors. Profits from the buckets, once the event itself has been paid for, would be donated to the Sussex Community Foundation Rainbow Fund - to which all local LGBT groups, including Pride, could then apply for grants.

Pride is holding its final public consultation meeting following the online questionnaire on Tuesday 17th November at the Queen's Hotel - email to let them know you'll be attending.

your comments

Andyb

said by Andyb
on Monday, 16 November 2009, 10:40pm

I am totally in favour of these proposals. We can continue to have the best Pride as we know it and the community groups will benefit from the fundraisers.

Steveneil

said by Steveneil
on Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 6:47pm

The proposal from Wilde Ones does seem the best option.

It is the bars, pubs and clubs, both gay and straight that make an obscene amount of cash over the week and especially over Pride Saturday/Sunday. Shame they will not give a % of takings, as they used to in years gone by.

When bars shut at 11 they had an extension to 1am and a percentage of sales made in those two hours went to pride. This was part of the deal to get the late licence. Just having a bucket and saying X bar raised X amount is not enough.

Pride seems to be missing the point completely. For whatever reason they made a loss this year. Time to let someone else have a go - what have we to lose? A hell of a lot if Pride gets its way.

nickF

said by nickF
on Thursday, 19 November 2009, 4:08pm

I'm not so sure... A fenced and ticketed Brighton Pride would completely change the event - as it did in London. Will the eventual outcome be the same as London?

said anonymously
on Friday, 8 January 2010, 1:55pm

The proposal from Wilde Ones is the best option.

It is the bars, pubs and clubs, both gay and straight that make an obscene amount of cash over the week and especially over Pride Saturday/Sunday. Shame they will not give a even a small percentage of their takings, as they used to.

When bars shut at 11 they had an extension to 1am and a percentage of sales made in those two hours went to pride. This was part of the deal to get the late licence. Just having a bucket and saying X bar raised X amount is not enough.

Pride seems to be missing the point completely. For whatever reason they made a loss this year. Time to let someone else have a go - what have we to lose? A hell of a lot if Pride gets its way.

add your commentplease login to add to this item

view all community news items view all