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community newsPride London Soho savedFriday, 25 June 2010 Following a press release last week warning that the Soho street party element of Pride London had been axed, organisers insist that a party in Soho's streets will go ahead. Last week Pride London made the difficult decision to cancel the Soho element of the event due to safety fears over the increased roadworks in the area. Westminster City Council and the Fire Brigade, in addition to other agencies involved with the event urged Pride organisers to drop the plans to stage activities in Soho on 3rd July amid fears that the Crossrail works, in addition to extended roadworks would limit evacuation routes out of the area. This could make it unsafe for the thousands of revellers expected to party in the streets. However, following urgent meetings between organisers and local health and safety officials, the green light has been given for a street party for the many LGBT revellers travelling to the area to celebrate Pride. Roads will be closed, however previously organised stages have been moved elsewhere, there will be no outside bars and the area remains heavily restricted. Last week an alternative proposal was put forward to Pride London and the local businesses in the area, Pride was unable to meet the cost of the additional safety measures. Local businesses raised concerns over cost and the limited numbers of people that would be allowed into the Soho area, prompting Pride to go back to the drawing board. The dance stage will now be moved to Leicester Square and other elements of the festival will also be moved here and alongside the Trafalgar Square stage. Pride London will be providing security and stewarding for road closures as well as other assistance throughout the area and Westminster City Council will be taking responsibility for the clean-up. The Metropolitan Police will also be ensuring that the event is a safe and fun day for all. Paul Birrell, Chairman of Pride London commented: "After last week's disappointing conclusion that Soho was not viable for our usual Pride event, I’m genuinely pleased that we have been able to negotiate a street party for Soho with our colleagues in Westminster and the Metropolitan Police. Although we won't be able to put any stages into the area, having a street party in the area will still provide a fantastic day. We hope that Soho’s LGBT businesses can pull together and work with Pride London to help create the right atmosphere for the hundreds of thousands of attendees that look to London on 3rd July for a great day out. Westminster City Council, the police and the fire brigade all agreed that there was no way we could leave Soho empty on such an important LGBT day, and were as dismayed as we were that the event did not look viable. I am hugely grateful for their assistance and advice in reaching such an agreeable solution." For more information and further updates on London Pride 2010, please visit www.pridelondon.org
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