Northampton's Pride Parade postponed "with a heavy heart"

Organisers are keeping fingers crossed that Northampton's first Pride Parade will still go ahead this year.

Pride planners postponed the street celebration which was due to be part of the annual festival on July 18, "with a heavy heart" due to the Covid-19 crisis.

But Borough councillor Anna King hopes the even can be rescheduled for later in the year, taking into account Government guidelines over large-scale gatherings.

Cllr King, Cabinet member for community engagement and safety, said: “It’s with a heavy heart that we’ve taken the decision that it would not be safe or appropriate to go ahead with the parade on the original date of 18 July 2020, but the health and safety of our communities is our top priority.

“So many people have put in so much effort to get Pride in Northampton parade ready for 2020, including our officers here at the council, but it’s absolutely the right decision given the current circumstances.

“I’d like to thank our partners, sponsors and organisers, as well as our volunteers and the public for their patience and ongoing support.

“Even though we won’t be marching together through the streets of Northampton in July we know that won’t stop us all coming together to support our communities and celebrate diversity from our homes.”

Thousands flocked to Northampton's Market Square for last year's Pride event — the second in the town — which was held in May.

But organisers from Northampton’s LGBTQ and Allies Forum and the Northampton Pride committee announced in January that the 2020 the festival would be expanded to include a Parade covering a route from Market Square to Becket’s Park, where live performances would have been held, on top of a series of the other events around the town.