This year’s Brighton Pride Street Party has been cancelled and a man arrested over theft and fraud after £10,000 went missing from its budget, the Pink Paper reports.
The paper quotes “organisers close to last year’s committee” who say the annual party in St James’s Street will now not officially go ahead – leading to fears of disorder if thousands descend upon the Kemp Town street anyway.
The party is organised by local traders, separately from the parade itself – which has experienced its own financial troubles.
But, the Pink Paper says: “For many, the party on St James Street – in the heart of Brighton’s gay village – is as much part of the weekend as the parade and Preston Park party itself.”
A 33-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of theft and fraud and has been released on police bail until June 25.
The deadline to apply for a licence expires this week, and if as seems likely nothing is in place, street drinking and outdoor music will be illegal.
Last month, The Argus reported a seafront after-party in Madeira Drive had also fallen through after it was blocked by council officials.
