A last ditch attempt by the organisers of Pride 2011 to stage the annual celebration without its traditional parade through the city is set to be rejected.
Cash-strapped Pride Southeast Ltd has submitted a bid to the city council to run a paid-for event in Preston Park only.
But the authority is set to snub the organisers of last year’s event, who owe more than £180,000 to debtors, and accept a bid from a new community interest company, Pride Brighton and Hove, to run both the parade and the Preston Park event.
With no other bids on the table it means revellers will have to pay to celebrate once again.
According to Chris Cooke, chair of the LGBT Community Safety Forum, the event would not be the same without the parade.
He said: “It’s a huge part of Pride and there are lots of people who would not want to go to the Preston Park event but still want to be involved.
"The parade is for the city. I think the Preston Park event, the parade and the St James’s Street party are all part of what makes Pride special.”
Back to Pride's roots
Mr Cooke said it was vital that Pride returned to its roots.
He said: “The underlying aim of Pride is raising money for LGBT and community causes and I’m delighted the bid from Pride Southeast promises £1 from every ticket will be ring-fenced for local causes.”
Because of the Olympics the event has now been moved to the new date of September 1 and 2.
A decision on who will run the event is needed by early March. Former Pride trustee and council cabinet member for culture and tourism, Geoffrey Bowden, will make the final decision at his meeting on Tuesday, March 6.
A report prepared for Coun Bowden by officers recommends accepting the bid from Pride Brighton and Hove, set up by the owners of Club Revenge in Old Steine, and James Ledward, editor of GScene magazine.
The report says: “It does not appear that Pride South East will be in a position to undertake organising of all of the Pride events for 2012.
"Pride South East has, however, indicated that it would like to organise just the Preston Park event.”
Officers say the new company’s commitment to ringfencing money for charity donations boosted its community and social credentials.
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