Manchester Pride has announced that the highly-anticipated Parade event has been cancelled for 2021.
The LGBTQ+ festival – which historically takes over the city every August Bank Holiday weekend – had its 2020 edition cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the charity confirmed earlier this year it would be going ahead next month.
The celebratory festival is due to be one of the more significant events taking place in the city centre following the lifting of lockdown restrictions earlier this week – but the announcement of the cancellation of this year’s Parade comes after organisers confirmed it held a number of COVID safety advisory group meetings yesterday.
Manchester Pride announced the Parade cancellation in a statement published to its official social media platforms this evening.
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A statement regarding this year's Manchester Pride Parade.
We understand that you may have many questions about this announcement – please get in touch with us via [email protected] and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
The statement read: “Whilst the Government announced an end to restrictions on 19 July, there were guidelines issued to support the safe delivery of large scale events [and] unfortunately, we are extremely sad to say that following this announcement and subsequent COVID safety advisory group meetings yesterday, we recognise that it is not possible for us to deliver the much-loved and anticipated Parade.”
The charity has apologised for the cancellation, but hopes attendees “understand the tough decision we had to take”, before reassuring that every other element of the festival will be “just as fabulous as expected”.
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Several other events have been announced to take place instead of the Parade, including five ‘Equality Marches’ on Saturday 28 August.
The marches will be limited to just 400 people per march, with 2,000 participating overall.
“We recognise that it is not possible for us to deliver the much-loved Parade.” / Credit: Manchester Pride
The Manchester Pride Parade is a march for equality and one of the Festival’s most highly-anticipated events.
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Thousands of people march proudly together through the streets of the city centre in front of tens of thousands of supporters and allies cheering them along the way.
2019’s Manchester Pride Parade was said to have been the “biggest and boldest yet”, with a whopping 200 organisations, over 14,000 people marching and tens of thousands spectators filling the streets with colour.
The theme for the Manchester Pride Parade 2021 was due to have been ‘Garden Of Freedom’.
Chinatown restaurant issues CCTV appeal after customer literally RUNS away without paying
Daisy Jackson
Noodle Alley, a cosy restaurant in Chinatown, has shared CCTV footage of a customer literally running away with an unpaid bill.
The noodle bar is famed for its spicy dishes, hailing from co-owner Wendy Ren’s native Sichuan province.
It’s become a firm favourite in Manchester’s Chinatown since launching in 2023 – but the team have been left stung by a customer dine-and-dash this week.
And it’s the most literal case of a dine-and-dash we’ve ever seen, with CCTV footage shared by Noodle Alley showing the moment the customer sprints out the door, with impressive speed for a man in sliders.
The video also shows the staff chasing the runaway customer, to no avail.
In a heartfelt statement shared online, Noodle Alley said that ‘every meal matters’ when small businesses like theirs are struggling with rising costs.
They also said that the CCTV has been sent to the police in the hopes of catching the man.
In their full statement, Noodle Alley wrote: “Today, someone ran away from our restaurant without paying.
“This isn’t just about the money. Small independent businesses are already struggling with rising costs, and dealing with people who deliberately run away without paying makes it even harder.
“Every meal, every member of staff, and every genuine customer matters.
“Our team reacted immediately and tried to catch him, but he disappeared within seconds.
“We have a very clear CCTV image of the individual, and all the evidence has been passed to the relevant authorities.
“To everyone who chooses to support small independent businesses like ours, thank you. Your kindness and support help keep businesses like ours going.”
Murder investigation launched after injured woman found dead at house in Bolton
Emily Sergeant
A murder investigation has been launched following the death of a woman in Bolton.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that officers responded to reports of an assault on Yewdale Avenue in Bolton at around 3:15am yesterday morning (4 August 2026), and when they arrived on the scene, they found a woman who had ‘sustained injuries’ and was unresponsive
Despite the best efforts of emergency services, the woman – who is said to be in her 30s – was pronounced dead at the scene.
A 36-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody for questioning, police confirmed.
Police say they believe this is an ‘isolated incident’ with no wider public threat.
With a murder investigation now proceeding at pace, GMP is appealing to the public for information. They said in a statement: “We understand how troubling this news will be, and whilst formal identification has yet to take place, the believed family are being supported by specialist officers.”
“A scene will remain in place as officers continue the investigation and we will have an increased police presence in the area.
“I’d like to reassure you that this was an isolated incident that is not believed to pose a wider risk to the public, and we currently have a man in custody in relation to the incident.
“I urge anyone who may have information to support our enquiries to please come forward”.
The Manc -
21st July 2021 
