Eastbourne Pride parade cancelled due to 'overrunning roadworks'
Eastbourne Pride’s parade has been cancelled due to ‘overrunning roadworks’ in the town centre, according to organisers.
The event’s organisers said roadworks along the parade route, which were ‘originally scheduled to finish in plenty of time’, will now overrun into July.
The works form part of public realm improvement works, led by East Sussex Highways, which aim to ‘enhance accessibility for pedestrians, increase visitor numbers, and help local businesses’.
Michael Shepherd, an Eastbourne Pride trustee, said running a parade through the area would ‘pose an unacceptable safety risk’.
He said: "As a result, we have taken the decision to cancel the parade element for 2026.
“We know many people have devoted time and effort to their plans for the parade, as have we, and this decision was not taken lightly.
"It follows full consideration and advice from our safety and security team.”
The trustees confirmed the ‘Pride Comes to Town’ event in Little Chelsea will still go ahead as planned on Saturday, June 13.
In previous years, the annual event was held at Princes Park, with the parade taking participants along the seafront.
In a statement shared online, the charity’s trustees said there ‘is simply not enough time to reroute and replan the parade safely’.
The statement read: “We remain committed to an annual parade as part of our Community Pride celebrations, and we’re already looking forward to bringing it back bigger, brighter, bolder and prouder in 2027.”
A spokesperson for East Sussex Highways added: “We appreciate there has been disruption with the significant town centre scheme, but the long-term benefits include a modern, safer and cleaner town centre and a boost to the local economy with more visitors encouraged to the local area.
"We understand there will be no parade for this year’s Pride event, which has moved from Princes Park to Little Chelsea although road closures will be in place in Grove Road, South Street and Meads Road on June 13.
"We wish everyone involved a great Pride event and hope that as many people as possible can celebrate the day.”
The event is free to enter and takes place from midday to 7pm.
For more information, visit: http://eastbourne-pride.com/.