Brighton Pride survey reveals huge financial benefits to the city

During the past two weeks, Brighton Pride have conducted an online public survey with almost 3,000 people taking part.

Pride 2015, universally recognised as the most successful Brighton Pride event ever brought records crowds to the city in August, raised £100,000 for local good causes and gave local hotels, restaurants and bars a bumper pay-day.

Headline findings include:

♦ over 60% of visitors to Brighton Pride come from outside the city with a large percentage arriving by train

♦ 90% of respondents felt the Festival was safer and 77% felt the Village Party was safer since it was ticketed

♦ almost one-third of the visitors to Pride chose to stay in hotel or B&B accommodation

♦ Two thirds of respondents said they visited restaurants in Brighton, while 41% went shopping during their stay and a large amount said they visited attractions such as the Brighton Pier, Brighton Wheel and Royal Pavilion

♦ 73% preferred this years Parade route with 90% feeling there was a good mix between community and commercial entries

♦ At the Pride Festival Community Fundraiser on Preston Park, the most popular area was the Main Stage followed closely by the Dance and Cabaret Tent

♦ 87% felt there was a good diversity of entertainment on offer with 84% feeling it was good value for money

Based on the average spend of respondents, Brighton Pride conservatively estimate at least £18m of revenue was generated across the city during the Pride weekend by those purchasing tickets for a Pride event.

This does not take into account those visitors that came to the city just to watch the free Parade and then went off to eat or shop.

Paul Kemp, Pride Director, said: “While the survey is not comprehensive it provides an excellent snapshot of the benefits of Brighton Pride to businesses in the city. Over the next year Pride will be developing improved feedback and statistics for all their events and the impact of Pride on the city.”