The Labour administration’s decision to move the St James’ Street Pride Party has faced backlash from local businesses and politicians, raising concerns about community impact and safety.
In a move that has ignited outrage, the Brighton and Hove Labour administration has announced the relocation of the St James’ Street Pride Party to Marine Parade—a decision that has provoked ire from local businesses and concerned politicians alike. This hasty action comes just weeks before the Pride celebrations scheduled for August, raising alarm bells about the detrimental impact on the local community and the businesses that have long benefitted from this vibrant event.
Steve Davis, the Green Group Convenor and Leader of the Opposition, could not hide his frustration with this poorly thought-out decision. In a stark comparison to past governmental overreach during the 1988 summer of love, he warned that the Labour administration has traded party spirit for prudence, effectively taking a role as the “fun-police” and distancing the festivities from the dynamic atmosphere of St James’ Street.
Local business owners are voicing their concerns about being marginalised in the wake of this decision, feeling the sting of exclusion from a dialogue that should have included them. Many in St James’ Street, who depend on the annual influx of Pride attendees, are rightly aggrieved at the perceived lack of meaningful consultations. Davis’ door-to-door visits underscored their frustrations, further highlighting the failure of the council to engage with those most impacted by their decisions.
The timing could not be worse, as local businesses are already feeling the brunt of an ongoing cost-of-living crisis. Amid rising operational costs and dwindling customer footfall, the Labour Party’s choice to disrupt a beloved event smacks of irresponsibility. Many are grappling with soaring energy prices and increasing rents, and now face the risk of losing out on vital income during an already challenging period.
Safety concerns are also paramount, especially given Labour’s reckless plan to allow vehicular traffic through St James’ Street during the weekend festivities. Davis warned that this presents a “recipe for disaster,” as combining traffic with crowd chaos could lead to serious safety risks. The Labour administration’s negligence in prioritising public safety speaks volumes about their disconnect with community welfare.
Worryingly, the sociopolitical climate has left many in the LGBTQ+ community uneasy about their representation and safety, particularly given the Labour government’s contradictory stance on protecting LGBTQ+ venues in Brighton and Hove. Promises made in their manifesto ring hollow, especially with prominent closures, such as the beloved Arcobaleno venue in Kemptown, casting shadows over their commitments.
Calls for transparent governance have surged, with Davis shedding light on widespread complaints about poor consultation practices since Labour’s ascendance. Issues ranging from school admissions to council governance have compounded frustrations within the community, as many residents feel their voices are disregarded in crucial decision-making processes.
As Pride weekend looms—critical for boosting local businesses in Kemptown—fears for the local economy grow amidst spiralling rents and the stark reality of recent business closures. The cultural vibrancy and economic livelihoods of Brighton and Hove face an uncertain future, adding to an atmosphere of discontent.
Davis concluded with a rallying cry for greater support for local businesses and inclusive engagement in decisions that shape the community’s character. The need for an administration that prioritises the interests of independent shops and LGBTQ+ venues has never been more urgent in Brighton and Hove.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.brightonandhovenews.org/2025/04/02/pride-village-party-to-move-to-seafront/ – Corroborates the relocation of the Pride Village Party from St James’s Street to Marine Parade due to safety concerns and complaints from residents. This decision has sparked outrage among local businesses and politicians.
- https://www.brightonandhovenews.org/2025/04/04/moving-pride-village-party-angers-residents-and-venues/ – Supports the contention that both local residents and businesses are unhappy with the move, citing concerns about crowd control and the potential negative impact on local economy.
- https://www.brighton-pride.org – Highlights Brighton Pride’s significance as the UK’s biggest Pride festival, emphasizing its importance to the local LGBTQ+ community and economy.
- https://www.noahwire.com – Could potentially provide additional context on local news and reactions to community issues, though specific coverage of Brighton Pride is not directly confirmed.
- https://www.brightonandhovenews.org/2025/04/04/moving-pride-village-party-angers-residents-and-venues/ – Further illustrates the frustrations of local businesses and residents regarding exclusion from decision-making processes.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative references ongoing events and local reactions related to the LGBTQ+ Pride celebrations, which suggests timeliness. However, the article does not provide specific dates for events causing concern, limiting the ability to fully assess its currency.
Quotes check
Score:
5
Notes:
Direct quotes from Steve Davis are included, but no original sources were found to verify their authenticity or the earliest context. This raises the possibility that the quotes could be original or may not have been widely reported before.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Argus, a local news publication known for covering regional issues. While not as widely recognised as national outlets, it generally reports on local matters reliably.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims made in the narrative regarding local business concerns and administrative decisions during Pride celebrations are plausible and consistent with typical community responses to such changes. There is no obvious evidence contradicting the concerns raised.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative is timely and discusses urgent local issues, but the lack of verification for quotes and specific dates diminishes overall confidence. While the source is reputable for local news, the lack of broader context raises questions about the overall veracity.
