Manchester Pride has announced that this year’s festival will now go ahead in 2021. Organisers say they are “heartbroken and devastated to deliver the news.”
Famous for celebrating love and bringing the sun to Manchester, the festival is a major fundraiser for LGBTQ+ organisations, usually generating around £34 million for the economy.
The festival was due to take place across the August bank holiday weekend. Lasting four fabulous days, the weekend is a favourite amongst many.
Organisers took to social media to confirm the postponement:
The charity has stated that all tickets from this year’s event will roll over to 2021. Those who no longer wish to attend are able to apply for refund or make a donation to the charity.
Chief executive for Manchester Pride, Mark Fletcher stated:
“Since large gatherings were banned in March, we have been working tirelessly to map out the options available to us for the four day event that forms the heart of our year.
“Cancelling the festival altogether was something that my team did not want to consider but after consulting with our partners and reviewing every option, the only way we can deliver what we have planned for this year is to move it to August 2021.”
Manchester follows in the footsteps of numerous Prides across the world; with over 450 being cancelled. Organisers have taken the plunge, putting public safety first. With Prides both large and small not being given the go ahead. This includes the biggest celebrations in the country such as London Pride and Brighton Pride.
Manchester Pride organisers have asked for donations to the LGBTQ+ Charity through their JustGiving page.
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