CHESTER PRIDE - All Things Rainbow

Chester Pride’s planning is well underway with less than 50 days until their annual event on 19th August 2023, at Castle Square.

Last year around 21,000 people attended the ever-popular event, bringing an estimated £2 Million pound to the local economy. Chester Pride are also pleased to welcome back the return of the Bank of America Parade through the heart of the historic City of Chester.

Their volunteer committee has been working non-stop, to ensure the event can return to Chester again this year. Like most events, Chester Pride has had to learn to adapt over the last few years. The rise in cost-of-living and covid recovery, are still affecting the event industry. The Chester Pride event for the first time has had to adapt to a ticketed event, this is to help with the ever-rising costs. They’ve also changed some of the offerings you will find on the day. Tickets are now available at

www.ticketquarter.co.uk

Chester Pride is also pleased to have launched Prepay which is an app-based gift card, offering discounts on all bar products by buying in advance compared to on the day cash and card payments. This also includes the UK’s first fully alcohol-free bar which will offer a wide range of alcohol-free alternatives to the regular beers, wines, spirits, cocktails and other drinks available at the main bars, these are available from the website or by obtaining a physical gift card from the Rainbow Tea Rooms on Bridge Street, Chester.

Chester Pride will see the Return of the M&S Bank mainstage, headlined by 90’s boy band sensation A1 who’s chart topping hits include “Same Old Brand New You'', “Caught In The Middle'' and A-HA’s 80s classic “Take On Me”. A1 will be joined by Gareth Gates and array of local LGBT+ singers including the ever-popular choir Proud Marys, drag act Shagger, tributes to Michael Bubble, Madonna and Cindi Lauper and X Factors Sami Brookes. There will also be a glittering array of the UK’s best drag kings and queens in the Runway Stage tent sponsored by Bed Student Rentals and a unique line up of talent in the Glitter Lounge sponsored by The Altus Group all with BSL signing for deaf and hard of hearing guests.

The health zone will be available, offering products, services and information. Other areas will include the return of the older persons zone, local food vendors, alcohol free chill out zone, disabled viewing platform, local face painters and makeup artists. The bars include a new Real Ale bar in association with That Beer Place, to be named The Sulivan Arms in memory of one of the founding members of Chester Pride and local landlord of the Liverpool Arms & Bar 6T9. Also returning is the Family fun fair, forming part of the Newly extended Youth zone on the lower car park. This area will be packed full of family entertainment & activities along with the ever-popular family fun fair.

Although tickets are required for all persons over the age of 16 in the main area operating a “pay what you can” scheme, where standard tickets range from £5 to £15 based on what people can afford to pay, the youth zone on the lower car park will operate totally free regardless of age, this year Chester Pride is kindly supported and sponsored by Bank of America, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Cambria Collage. Other sponsors involved in Chester Pride include their new sustainability sponsors Sykes who are assisting Chester Pride in becoming a carbon neutral event, along with NHS Cheshire & Wirral partnership, Axia, John Dwyer Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, Koura, University of Chester, Chester Bid, Muir Housing, Liverpool Arms, Slug and Lettuce, Revolution Bars, Popcorn, Cheshire Fire and Rescue, Nando’s, Off The Wall, Havana, Nice ‘n’ Naughty, DTCC, Altus group, Brio leisure along with support from Cheshire West & Chester Council.

Chester Pride chair Warren Lee said “This year we’ve seen huge challenges in ensuring we can deliver the usual quality event we have given to the city for the last 11 years. Sadly, we’ve seen, like all other events, the rising costs which has meant we’ve had to change our model to ensure our survival. In a time where 11 Prides across the UK have had to cancel, we’re continuing to work with our partners, sponsors and the community. We’re very proud to say, Chester Pride's The Rainbow Tea Rooms, is celebrating our 1st year anniversary of trading. The café has become a very popular safe space and an award-winning café. The café, run by Scott and the team, allows us to be able to make the transition to a self-sustaining charity along with our Bridge Street View self-let apartments which are above the Rainbow Tea Rooms. Whilst we’ve had to make changes this year, some resulting in a few of the usual areas being placed on hiatus for the year, it’s our intention to bring them back in 2024 as part of the annual event or on their own as a fundraising event. Just finally, I’d like to take this opportunity to say thank you to the community for its continued support, alongside our sponsors, partners & the volunteers of Chester Pride”.

FULL DETAILS ON WHAT TO EXPECT AT CHESTER PRIDE, INFORMATION ABOUT THE RAINBOW TEA ROOMS AND BRIDGE STREET VIEWS CAN BE FOUND ON THE WEBSITE: 

WWW.CHESTERPRIDE.CO.UK

Chester Pride is an LGBT+ focused charity established in 2013. They plan and run the annual Chester Pride event which had around 21,000 people attend the celebration of diversity in 2022. They have also expanded their work throughout the year to provide charitable projects and services to support the LGBT+ community. Their flagship service is the Just Ask helpline which offers support on any LGBT+ topic or to any LGBT+ person, all year round.

 The charity is proud to support the West Cheshire Foodbank as they know that LGBT+ people are more likely to be vulnerable and in need of support from places like the Foodbank. They also believe in community and are proud to support other organisations and projects that help a wider community in need of support.