Later this month, thousands of people will make their way into Manchester’s Gay Village across four days for a weekend of jubilant Pride celebration. But this year’s event marks the first time the city’s Pride celebrations have been spearheaded by a collective made up of owners and businesses that keep the Gay Village going strong. It was set up after the monumental collapse of Manchester Pride just months after last year’s event, which saw a number of artists unpaid — many still out of pocket today.
A joint statement from village venues
Because of their active investment in this year’s festivities, which take place over the August bank holiday weekend from August 28 to 31, a number of venues are doubling down on a part of Pride that has, perhaps understandably in the past, resulted in divided opinion. This year, a majority of Village venues have issued a joint statement reinforcing a ‘no wristband = no entry = no service’ policy. Put simply, if you don’t have a Manchester Village Pride ticket, you are unlikely to be able to buy a drink at most bars.
Explaining the decision, the joint statement says: “This year is something special. Manchester Village Pride is being created in a new way, with our amazing Village businesses coming together to make sure our community still has a Pride celebration right here in the heart of Manchester. Every ticket you buy directly helps make this event happen. Your support pays for the infrastructure, safety, entertainment, and everything needed to create a Pride that belongs to our community. If you love our Village, our venues, our performers and the unique atmosphere that makes Manchester so special, please support us by purchasing your ticket. Together, we’re proving what our community can achieve.”
Disagree if you like, but I believe this is a good move — and it’s good that it is being highlighted early. The LGBTQ+ community and Pride events around the country are under attack right now. Events are being cancelled or protested, funding is being cut, and attempts to undo already hard-won rights are actively being made.
Canal Street remains a public right of way
It is also worth mentioning that this policy is different from a general ‘no wristband, no entry’ access to the Gay Village itself. Each year there are debates and issues around access to the Village during Pride. At the end of the day, Canal Street is a public right of way. This doesn’t change that.
I do understand where the criticism of bars denying service during Pride has come from in the past. Not everybody can afford a wristband or commit to a full day. But this year, I feel this move needs to be made — not only to ensure safety and capacity but to support us having a Pride going forward.
Cheaper wristbands and venue backing
It is worth reflecting that this year’s wristbands are much cheaper than previous years. It costs £40 for the weekend this year. Last year, prices started from £61.56 for just access on Sunday to the Gay Village Party and Mardi Gras celebrations. Broken down, Pride bosses have said each wristband covers the cost of the line-up, infrastructure, safety and everything required to hold such a large-scale event in a safe manner.
With venues putting their own financial support behind this year’s event and, in theory, making the whole event actually possible, why should they not see some of the benefits? Especially when owners have previously reported that the Pride weekend alone can often keep them financially viable throughout the rest of the year when it’s not as busy.
Of course, the crux of Pride is not about getting drunk and enjoying a BuzzBall whilst twerking along to a Britney Spears remix, but it is still an important aspect. To some of us, that moment can provide a sense of community which, bottled down to its simplest form, can be about just having a good, positive experience at a time when that’s not necessarily always possible.
If you don’t want to buy a wristband and still want to go to the village, that is certainly still an option. But please think twice about causing a scene outside the bars or stages if you are unable to get in. You probably won’t be heard over the steady rotation of Madonna’s latest album anyway.
