Birmingham Pride future 'secured' with update expected on 'potential' new site

Birmingham Pride organisers are 'satisfied' that the short-term future of the event is 'secured' amid concerns the LGBTQ+ festival could be 'forced out' of the city centre by the new Smithfield development. Talks are ongoing with Birmingham City Council to identify potential new sites for the festival post-2025, once development on the Smithfield site begins.

The 'once in a generation' Smithfield plans were given the green light by council planners this month, and will see the former Birmingham wholesale markets transformed into a new public realm - complete with new homes, retail units and new community squares. Organisers of the UK's biggest two-day gay pride event had previously raised concerns that a new public square promised as part of the development was 'too small' to host the festival, and that Pride could be made 'homeless' by the proposals.

Thousands took to the streets of Birmingham to celebrate Pride at the end of May, with organisers confirming the bash will return to the Smithfield site in 2025. Organisers are currently in talks with the council over a new location post-2025, with potential sites in Digbeth currently being considered.

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The £1.9bn Smithfield development will see the city's former wholesale markets turned into a new landmark destination including more than 3,000 new homes, offices and retail and cultural spaces. However, in May this year, concerns over public open space meant the Smithfield plans were deferred at a planning committee meeting.

Revised plans for the scheme were agreed at a planning meeting on Thursday, June 13 where the Lead Officer confirmed that Birmingham Pride had 'removed' their objection to the proposals following discussions with developer Lendlease. The developers behind the project have now committed to increasing the size of the proposed Smithfield Park within the scheme by 23%.

At the meeting, the Lead Officer said: "Birmingham Pride have removed their objection to the proposal stating that following discussions with Lendlease, Birmingham Pride is satisfied that the short-term future of Birmingham Pride is secured and that Lendlease will continue to work with Pride to accommodate the event where possible, throughout the development phases."

Pride organisers will meet with Birmingham City Council to discuss the future of the festival post-Smithfield. Cllr John Cotton, Leader of Birmingham City Council, added: "We are currently discussing future options for Birmingham Pride including potential sites in Digbeth. It's far too early to provide any concrete details until sites have been visited, the land owners consulted with as well as officers, and Birmingham Pride organisers."

Construction on the Birmingham Smithfield site is expected to start in late 2024, with the project delivered in four phases over the next 15 years. Pride organisers confirmed the festival will be able to use the Smithfield site once again in 2025.

A Birmingham Pride spokesperson said: "Birmingham Pride is delighted to have secured the use of the Smithfield site for 2025 and the team are already working on an exciting programme of events for Friday 23, Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 May 2025. Advanced loyalty tickets are already on sale and are available at birminghampride.com."