THE 2023 Salisbury Pride Festival has been cancelled.
Organisers of the event, which last year took place in July, said an ongoing dispute over the city’s Progress Bar had rendered a ‘financial impact’ on the organisation.
The bar closed in February, just months after opening doors with a mission to ‘promote equality and diversity in our historic city’.
It was run by and home to the Salisbury Pride UK Community Interest Company (CIC), which also organised the festival.
“We regret to announce that we have had to made the tough decision to cancel Salisbury Pride Festival 2023,” organisers said.
“Unfortunately despite the efforts to save Progress Bar Salisbury, this has also had a financial impact on the CIC.
“We know this is incredibly disappointing and is not a decision we`ve been able to make easily, but our duty is to ensure that all our events are run safely.”
The decision came after 2022 was hailed as the ‘biggest Pride yet’ in Salisbury.
“This was thanks to the had work of an incredibly small group of dedicated volunteers and one massive support from our community,” a spokesperson added.
“We are now looking for proactive volunteers of the community to come forward to join the team to assist in many various roles throughout each year.”
Other Pride groups expressed their sadness and sympathy at the decision.
Swindon & Wiltshire Pride said: “Such sad news, sending our love.” And Glastonbury Pride said: “So sorry to hear about this.”
Anyone interested in helping can find out more at www.salisburyprideuk.org/joinpride.
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