Manchester Pride is planning to go ahead in 2021, organisers have confirmed.
The LGBTQ+ festival – which historically takes over the city for a whole weekend every summer – had its 2020 edition cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
But following the government announcement that most COVID regulations could be lifted by June 21, Manchester Pride representatives said they are “doing everything they can” to ensure the event returns this summer.
The festival, held in partnership with Virgin Atlantic, is scheduled to take place in the Gay Village and surrounding areas – running for four days from August 27 – 30 (Friday to Monday).
The programme will include “all of the traditional elements”, albeit MCR Pride Live will have a 50% smaller capacity.
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Manchester Pride Festival 2021 will include:
THE GAY VILLAGE PARTY, 27 – 30 August 2021
MCR PRIDE LIVE, 28 – 29 August 2021
MANCHESTER PRIDE PARADE, 28 August 2021
THE CANDLELIT VIGIL, 30 August 2021
SUPERBIA WEEKEND, 28 – 29 August 2021
HUMAN RIGHTS FORUM, 29 August 2021
YOUTH PRIDE MCR, 29 August 2021
FAMILY PRIDE MCR, 28 August 2021
?MANCHESTER PRIDE FESTIVAL 2021!?
We’re delighted to announce our plans to host our world-class Manchester Pride Festival over the August Bank Holiday Weekend 2021.
Mark Fletcher, CEO of Manchester Pride, said the postponement of the festival in 2020 was “necessary but extremely hard”, and expressed his joy at being able to plan for a new edition.
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“Naturally there is some uncertainty over what will happen in the coming months but we have to plan now in order to be able to deliver a festival of this scale,” he admitted.
“We are confident that by reducing the capacity of MCR Pride Live we can deliver the event, as long as the government’s plans for vaccinations and reopening of events and hospitality remain on track. With the health and safety of everyone involved our key priority, we remain cautiously optimistic and have plans in place to respond to a number of potential scenarios.”
The CEO stated the team will attempt to make Pride a Covid-safe, live, and in-person event that sprawls across the city.
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“If this just isn’t possible then we will host an alternative, innovative, world class celebration that incorporates socially distanced events and digital elements to ensure that LGBTQ+ people in Greater Manchester can come together to celebrate and ensure that our campaign for greater LGBTQ+ equality continues at this vital time,” Fletcher added.
Tickets for all events, from Superbia Weekend to Youth Pride MCR, will be released over the coming months.
Tickets for 2020 events have been automatically rolled over to 2021.
Man arrested after Stockport homes were evacuated due to ‘suspected hazardous materials’
Emily Sergeant
A man has been arrested after the discovery of “suspected hazardous materials” led to several homes being evacuated in Stockport.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that the discovery of the so-called “suspected hazardous materials” was made by police yesterday (Thursday 1 June) during a search of a property on Middleton Road in the Reddish area of Stockport.
Officers attended the property in response to intelligence about the manufacturing of illegal fireworks.
No injuries have been reported following the discovery, GMP confirmed, and a 100-metre cordon is currently believed to still be in place around the area.
Residents of the several homes that were asked to evacuate yesterday have been relocated, either to the homes of their family and friends, or directed by Stockport Council to Houldsworth Village and Broadstone Road if they had no alternative accommodation.
The residents were told by GMP that, although they would be kept regularly updated, it was “unlikely they will be able to return home,” yesterday evening.
Following the discovery, GMP declared a major incident and instructed specially-trained representatives from relevant agencies to conduct the “timely and safe recovery” of the hazardous materials, all while asking members of the public to “avoid the area” so this could be carried out.
The arrested suspect, a 50-year-old man, is currently being held in police custody under Section 4 of the Explosive Substances Act.
Man arrested after Stockport homes were evacuated due to ‘suspected hazardous materials’ / Credit: GMP
“We understand this news will have caused some concern in the community, not just amongst the residents who have unfortunately been displaced,” Chief Inspector Jamie Collins admitted in a statement addressing the ongoing situation yesterday.
“Our highest priority is keeping people safe, which is why we have put a cordon in place, evacuated properties, and warned members of the public to avoid the area.
“This has understandably caused some disruption and, though we are not yet in a position to confirm when the area will return to normal, further updates will follow.
“I would like to use this opportunity to thank the community for their cooperation and patience.”
Featured Image – Google Maps
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Rival Manchester fans urged to use different Wembley travel routes for FA Cup final
Emily Sergeant
Football fans from rival Manchester clubs heading to watch the FA Cup final this weekend are being urged to take different travel routes to each other.
In preparation for what is set to be a massive day for our city, where Manchester United and Manchester City face each other in an all-Manchester final of the Emirates FA Cup at Wembley Stadium this Saturday, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has now issued some urgent travel advice for fans.
With it being the first time the two Manchester clubs have battled it out for the trophy in the final in the 151-year-old football competition’s illustrious history, tens of thousands of fans are expected to make the journey down to the capital.
But with this influx of excitable rival fans, admittedly, comes a set of challenges.
This is why The FA and TfGM have decided to introduce some measures, and issue travel tips and guidance, in a bid to make sure everyone stays safe, while still soaking in all the atmosphere of the historic day at the same time.
Due to what TfGM has called “significant” coordinated strike action by rail unions RMT and Aslef on Saturday, all supporters heading to the FA Cup final are advised to avoid trains and “consider alternative travel arrangements” instead – making sure to allow “additional time for travel” and planning their journeys “ahead of time”.
Fans are also being asked to check the road network carefully, as it’s also highly likely that traditional routes to Wembley will be “busier than normal” as a result of rail strikes.
It's the first EVER all-Manchester FA Cup Final on Saturday [3 June – 3pm KO].
As fans make their way from Manchester to London on Saturday morning, we expect congestion on the region's roads & in the city.
— Transport for Greater Manchester 🚲🚶🏾♀️ (@OfficialTfGM) May 31, 2023
The FA has confirmed that it will be providing 60 coaches for both Manchester clubs to help supporters get to Wembley and return to Manchester once the game has finished, but aside from this, TfGM has suggested that “anyone without an official match ticket should not travel to the game”.
The two Manchester clubs have been advised to encourage fans to use separate travel routes to each other to avoid clashes, and a list of service stations for each team has now also been published – confirming all the rumours to be true.
Allocation of motorway service stations
Manchester City supporters
Lymm
Sandbach
Stafford
Norton Canes
Corley
Rugby
Watford Gap
Northampton
Newport Pagnell
Toddington
London Gateway
Manchester United supporters
Knutsford
Keele
Hilton
Warwick
Cherwell Valley
Oxford
Beaconsfield
Manchester United and Manchester City will battle it out for the FA Cup title this Saturday 3 June / The FA
When it comes to the travel routes supporters of each team are advised to take, TfGM is urging Manchester City fans to take the M62/M1 as the first port of call, or taking the M6/M1 or M6/M6 Toll/M1 as a back-up option.
Manchester United supporters are encouraged to take the M6/M42/M40.
On top of information on travel routes and service station allocations, TfGM has also shared tips for matchday parking, tube travel around London, and more.
The Manc -
26th February 2021 
