Pride may be scrapped next year after Brighton’s emergency services spelt out their concerns to the event’s organisers.
Overcrowding, the mess left in Preston Park, drink and drug-related problems and anti-social behaviour have been blamed.
Scrapping the event was one of four options put forward at an operational debrief meeting held at Hove Town Hall.
Pride will report back to the Emergency Liaison Team at a meeting next month.
The other three options being considered are
- use a venue other than Preston Park, most probably Madeira Drive
- hold a parade without having the party in Preston Park afterwards
- use Preston Park but fence the site and charge for tickets
In a report after the debrief, Ian Taylor, events manager for Brighton and Hove City Council, wrote: “To do nothing is not an option.
“Pride cannot continue in its present format.
“The emergency services have made it very clear that they have a number of major concerns – overcrowding, drug and alcohol abuse and widespread anti-social behaviour – that would lead them to object if the event was presented to them in a similar format for next year.
“We would never go against police objections and would therefore not grant consent for the event to take place.”
The debrief was attended by Pride, the council, Sussex Police, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service and South East Coast Ambulance Service.
Council staff included representatives of the environmental health team, City Clean, the parks department and the licensing team.
Mr Taylor’s report said: “All aspects of this year’s Pride were discussed and without doubt the single biggest criticism was that of the clean-up operation.
“Pride admit that the company that they employed proved to be wholly inadequate.”
The contractor did such a poor job that the council had to send in almost 40 of its own staff to clear the park of broken glass and other litter.
The event has also been plagued by money problems and other disputes.
Pride does, however, bring tens of thousands of visitors to Brighton and Hove.
Although it was originally a gay protest event, many of the estimated 150,000 people taking part are not gay but either showing support or just joining in with Brighton’s biggest free party.
The future of Pride will be discussed at the Emergency Liaison Team meeting on Monday 1 November at Hove Town Hall.
A spokesman for the council said: “We don’t think Pride should be scrapped or will be scrapped.
“We also don’t see it as being under any threat.
“But based on this year’s event there are some things such as the clean-up which need to be addressed – and which can readily be addressed by good organisation.”
I have a good Idea, why don’t we just close Brighton Down to the London to Brighton cycle Run,the marathon, the car rallies that pour into this tiny little undeveloped town they call a City, all of which block our roads and are a pain in the butt.
Then we can close down pride as well, but unless they are going to do this why don’t the council and emergency services leave it alone.