New Charges For Street Access During Brighton Pride

Brighton Pride today announced that access to the gay scene during the Pride weekend will ticketed.

by Newsdesk | 16th June 2014

The Brighton Pride organisation announced today that they were excited to be trialing a new venture which will effectively make the seafront road, Marine Parade a ticketed area costing £5.00 for a 2-day wristband, £1 of which will be donated to The Rainbow Fund. The trial was green lit by Brighton and Hove council and the Police, for one year.

The area between St. James' Street and Marine Parade is currently home to over 29 bars, clubs and hotels, which are aimed at the gay community.

Brighton Pride

Residents and people working within the Zone will receive free access wristbands and information is being circulated by letter and will be posted on a residents information page on the Pride website.

Brighton Pride CIC, is already the UK's most expensive one day prides costing £20, Manchester Pride is £22.00 for the weekend.

In an email from Brighton Pride organisers said, 'Two days of fabulous community celebrations in a safe and welcoming environment, the Pride Village Party will deliver a unique fundraising event that we can all enjoy. Safe in the company of proud others, working with local businesses, acknowledging the needs of local residents and happy in the knowledge that we are raising much needed funds for The Rainbow Fund and supporting local LGBTQ charities and organisations, the Pride Village Party is ready to complete your Brighton Pride weekend.

'With so many of Brighton's favourite local bars, venues and businesses supporting the Pride Village Party and The Rainbow Fund there will be plenty of choice of where to meet up with friends and raise a toast to your Pride weekend. Please support our local businesses that are directly supporting the Pride fundraising effort for the Rainbow Fund selling the pledge bands and Pride tickets.'

You will need to purchase these tickets seperately as tickets for the Pride have been on sale since February.

Launching the new charges have been rumoured as a solution to attempt to control and curb problematic drinking and anti-social behaviour during the Pride event. In May, GayStarNews reported that Councilor Geoffrey Bowden, who represents the St James’s Street area, said, ‘Over the years the Pride Street Party has become more and more problematic – especially for residents.

‘Uncontrolled access and irresponsible attitudes to alcohol have turned what should be a celebration into something of a headache and, for some, a nightmare.’

The street party will run from 6pm on 2nd August through to 3rd August at 8:00PM. You can buy your wristbands here