Photo: Realbrighton.com

Pride in Brighton & Hove have cancelled the bars contract it signed with 19 Events Ltd earlier this month as the company failed to pay any of the money it had agreed to.

With just 45 days to go before the event, the Pride board has agreed a four year deal with Club Revenge. It is not been announced if any tendering process has been followed.

Pride chairman, Robert Clothier said:
“After exploring a number of alternatives, we are very pleased to announce that we have signed a contract with Club Revenge to supply the bars on the Park.”

Revenge, operated the bars contract for three years till 2008 along with Aeon Events Ltd.  In addition to the contract fee, Club Revenge has agreed to make a substantial sponsorship donation to Pride.

Robert continued:
“Pride acknowledges that the path to this excellent solution has not run smoothly, but are pleased that we can, at last, concentrate our energies on delivering the best Pride ever.”

Vavoom who announced last Friday they were not prepared to work with 19 Events Ltd and Buddies have announced that they will be on the Park too.  Buddies are returning after a years break to supply the bar in the members area.

Andrew Roberts

Andrew Roberts, general manager of Club Revenge and R-Bar said:
“We are excited to be working with Pride to ensure that our much loved event goes ahead in the way that we all have come to expect. It is an important day not only for local businesses and for Brighton as a city, but for the thousands of LGBT individuals to whom this one day is so significant.
    
“Revenge is in negotiations with a dance promoter and hopes to be in a position to announce the operator of the dance tent very shortly.”

Andrew continued:
"Revenge were approached by Pride last week to assist when it became clear that there were no funds forthcoming from 19 Events Ltd.

"There are issues that have been raised by the local LGBT community concerning Pride and these need resolving in the future. 

"However, with six weeks to go before the event, we must all get together and support Brighton Pride which has developed incredibly into an internationally renowned celebration with essential support from local businesses and the community.

"We have stepped in to make sure that Pride will showcase Brighton's fantastic businesses and brands to the rest of the country. A unique and pioneering Pride that the people of Brighton can be proud of.

Elsewhere on the Park there will be the Cabaret Tent co-ordinated by Chair of Pride, Robert Clothier aka Lady James, the Bears Tent and the Girls Bar. This will all be in addition to the funfair and other stalls and performances areas.

Revenge is Brighton's premier flag ship nightclub. During the last year stars such as X Factor winner Alexandra Burke, The Saturdays, Kelis and the X-Factor finalists have all appeared at the club.

Brighton Council have called the organisers of Pride to a meeting on Tuesday June 28, to explain their current situation.