National Student Pride, the annual weekend LGBT Festival have announced they are moving the 2014 event from Brighton to London claiming the cost of hiring the Dome complex to stage the event in Brighton have become prohibitive.
After five successful years in Brighton, Student Pride which draws students from all corners of the United Kingdom and Ireland – will move to London on the weekend of February 21-23, 2014.
Student Pride has grown considerably during the last few years gaining the support of corporate sponsors and celebrity patrons including Elton John while at the same time bringing LGBT students from all over the country to Brighton each year.
Organisers say the move to London will allow Student Pride to control their costs as London are offering facilities and venues free of charge and attract even more students to the event each year.
Tom Guy, President of Student Pride, said:
‘The last two events have been held in the iconic Brighton Dome. The move to The Brighton Dome went hand in hand with more students, more corporate companies backing the event and a higher caliber of celebrities and speakers attending. However, with the cost of remaining in Brighton now having become unsustainable due to a number of factors, we have made the decision to move the event to London in 2014.
Events came to a head in 2012 when the organisers were charged more than £10,000 for the use of the Dome premises. Following an intervention by Caroline Lucas, the Green MP for Brighton Pavilion, the Dome reduced their fees for the 2013 event, but organisers claim they were still being charged at a corporate rate rather than the much lower rate offered to Arts organisations by the Brighton Festival and Dome. This despite National Student Pride being a ‘not for profit company’ and community organisation.
Tom continued:
“Moving the event to London will make it economically sustainable and more accessible for thousands of students around the country. Access to a wider range of bigger venues and a greater pool of support will allow the event to continue to grow and thrive.”
“National Student Pride has formed a new partnership and is now in association with University of London Union (ULU) alongside the established relationship with the NUS LGBT campaign.
Corporate sponsors have indicated their delight with a move to London in 2014. Ernst & Young have signed up as a Platinum sponsor for the fourth consecutive year, Clifford Chance have taken on Gold sponsorship with Asda continuing as Silver sponsors for 2014.
Tom concluded:
“More than anything, our move to London is a sign of our growth and a tribute to all the students, sponsors, supporters and friends who have helped us develop from a one-off event to an essential part of the UK’s LGBT calendar.”
Brighton City Council told Pride organisers earlier this year:
“Unfortunately there is nothing the council can offer in the way of financial support or grant aid directly to your event. We are, of course, delighted that you are holding your event in Brighton and Hove and hope you are very successful and come back again the year after.”
James Ledward, editor of Gscene said:
“It is very disappointing that a city with Brighton’s reputation as a destination for LGBT visitors cannot hold onto to an event such as Student Pride.
“The Dome is administered by the Brighton Festival who receive grant funding amounting to £611, 554 a year from the City Council. Surely it is not too much to expect that the Dome can then offer in return a special reduced rate for not for profit events that are bringing money into the city? If not, why not?”
Cllr Warren Morgan, leader of the Labour and Cooperative group on Brighton & Hove Council, said:
“This is a popular event and one that brings much needed revenue to the city. I will be asking what steps can be taken to bring it back to Brighton.”
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