Community Consultation

*Please note we are currently collating feedback from Pride 2024*

Last Updated: 11/02/2025

Feedback Received

Parade Feedback

Did not see closure signs for traffic and saw buses and cars waiting
We need more people marching. More local businesses, those that did were brilliant but it just falls flat.
There should be a ban on politics. The parade should solely focus on what it was intended for in the first place. It should be solely for the LQBTQ+ community. To celebrate pride. Bringing politics and other subjects into pride could lead to disputes and is also not the time or place for it.
Quite spaced out ie big gaps, Wish there was more music 🎶, More floats or something??

Parade Feedback Response

We are working with the local council to ensure adequate signage is places throughout the town to advertise the road closures during the parade
We actively encourage local businesses, groups and participants to sign up to march in the parade the form can be found: https://hastingspride.org.uk/parade
As a team we are working to draw up an etiquette guide for participants within the parade, this will help set out the expectations and rules to keep the parade a fun and safe experience for all attending.
The team are working hard to revamp the Parade and are looking into the route, participation and entertainment along the march to the oval.

Main Stage Feedback

Would like to see a bit more variety but appreciate this was put together quickly after the cancellation
Needed more live bands like previous years. Comperes were brilliant. Sam solace was fab as was persephone and son of a tutu
It seems that anything Hastings related with performers its always the same acts time and time again, we’ve seen lots of other great performers around the town in the past but they never seem to featured.
The hour long dj set, people went home . Need a decent headliner to attract more people. Choirs – you can never hear their singing.

Main Stage Feedback Response

Unfortunately the last minute cancellation and recovery did have an impact on all aspects of pride in 2024 however, this year we have even more planned to bring pride back with a bang! New acts, New performers and New engagement opportunities for the community
We are currently working on a refreshed line up and varied performances for this years pride. We encourage anyone who wants to be join in to contact us at contact@hastingspride.org.uk
As a team we are looking into new and exciting local acts to perform with us at Pride 2025
The team are currently reviewing the running order and sets to see where improvements can be made based on all the feedback we have received.

Community Tent Feedback

Excellent performers , highly underrated , shame they were stuck over in the corner out of the way . They had a huge audience and it was a lot of fun that held everyone’s attention
Didn’t know the community tent was there until we was leaving
Great, professional, good fun, good atmosphere created
Talented , fun bunch . Loved the ameutuer performance vibe and comedy element Parts of act / maybe ( bit ) riske for community tent

Community Tent Feedback Response

As part of our planning for 2025 we are looking into individual stall/tent placement on the pitch as well as advertisement for the locations of the events on site.
Due to the last minute restart of pride 2024 signage was understandably lacking, we are reviewing options for additional signage and information for 2025.
We are thrilled to hear the positive feedback regarding community tent
We want to ensure the performances are suitable for the ages and locations while allowing performers their artistic reign over their performances.

Bar Feedback

Prices weren’t too bad but poor choice of beers on tap. Some more well known brands would be welcomed.
Really quick service and good pricing. Reusable cups would make it even better
Staff were lovely but prices were expensive
Not bad but still quite limited options. Don’t mind paying for decent quality wines/drinks etc.

Bar Feedback Response

We are working with local venues for Pride 2025 to ensure the bar is both value for money and with a wider range.
We will look into sustainability and greener options that may be available for Pride 2025.
Our team are working with local bars and suppliers to review pricing for 2025.
As above we are currently reviewing the feedback from last years bar supplier and working with local venues to bring a wider and affordable range for 2025

Vendor Feedback

There could have been a few more food stalls and tents selling memorabilia. However the food tents that were there were great.
I felt that there could have been a wider range. We have so many incredible independent businesses and traders in Hastings who could have been able to demonstrate and share their local products etc. The traders there were brilliant though. There also felt very little information on local LGBTQ services or support. Sexual health, fostering etc was great but no signposting to anything like stonewall etc
Alright but could do with more variety especially food. Also improve your stall booking system – in the past people apparently havent been replied to
More more more – show the community and service support agencies and allies

Vendor Feedback Response

As pride do not host the stalls internally we rely on local businesses signing up with us to supply goods at pride, if you or anyone you know may want to host a stall with pride you can apply HERE
We actively encourage local businesses, groups and participants to sign up to hosting stalls using the link above. We aim to engage with local services to have more informational and health stalls with us for 2025.
As a team we strive to continually improve the application processes, 2024 saw the launch of our new application service and we are working to improve this going forward.
We totally agree! If you or anyone you know would like to host a stall, food service or information stall with us then please encourage them to apply HERE

Volunteer Crew Feedback

Everyone was friendly and appeared to know their role. A very well organised event.
The site was very well maintained. The cleaning was constant, bins were emptied, site was kept tidy, toilets were well maintained. They were friendly and polite too.
Happy and helpful made it a great day
In the 5 hours i was at the Oval, I only saw 1 volunteer, who was litter picking. Did you have any others??

Volunteer Crew Feedback Response

We are glad to hear our volunteer crew had a positive impact on the experience during the day. They do work extremely hard!
Both the site crews and our volunteers worked hard. Thank you for the amazing feedback!
Thank you for the amazing feedback!
Sorry to hear our volunteer team weren’t as visible for you, We aim to have a dedicated uniform for 2025 so you can easily identify members of the team and their roles. We always welcome applications from those wishing to volunteer with us so if you know anyone who would like to help out in 2025 please ask them to apply via the website or HERE

Security Team Feedback

The security team were very helpful to us, especially when we had to leave early due to having to take down our stall.
Watched them remove a troublemaker very quickly and no repercussions or left me feeling triggered just safe
Didn’t engage other than at the gate, didn’t search my bag but I did see them turning away a large group of young lads who didn’t have any adults with them.
When checking bags they didn’t check properly as I saw a few bottles of wine smuggled in. Maybe have a barrier and check properly. Anything could be brought in.

Security Team Feedback Response

Thank you for the lovely feedback! We will make sure the security team receive any feedback or concerns raised to us to help us all to improve year after year.
We are glad to hear that any issues are dealt with siftly and professionally. Our aim is to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable day with Pride.
We are drawing up plans for the security teams roles and responsibilities to improve for the 2025 Pride. Stay tuned for updates 🙂
The team are currently in discussions for reasonable rules regarding items being allowed on site for Pride 2025 and how searches can be conducted safely and effectively with our security teams.

Site Decor Feedback

Other than the balloons on the entrance there wasn’t a lot else.
Did not feel very colourful and pride like but bearing in mind it was put together in a short time not bad
Although not the most important aspect, in honesty, felt a bit sad. Understand it was very touch and go however, these things would have already been in place?
Hay bales were a nice touch. Could have been more seating

Site Decor Feedback Response

Unfortunately due to the last minute cancellation reversal and weather impacting the site in 2024 this did affect the times we were allowed to work on the site impacting not only decorating but other building work as well. We are hoping for better weather and more impactful decor in 2025.
Stay tuned for more info on this! We actively encourage anyone who would like to help us decorate by volunteering to do so HERE
Unfortunately we were impacted by the short notice cancellation and reannouncement of pride for 2024 as well as shortages of volunteers in the 2/3 weeks we had to reorganise pride. We are working hard this year to ensure this doesnt happen again and would encourage anyone that wants to volunteer to sign up HERE
The team are looking into viable options for the site and are committed to reviewing all accessibility feedback we have received.

Accessability Feedback

It was nice that people could sit on the bus if they wanted to be in the parade but couldn’t do the walk.
There were disabled toilets I noticed which was great. It would be good to have something like bexfest where there is a small disabled seated area for people that have disabilities and many not be able to bring their own chair. At del a Warr there’s a small seated area with a good view of the stage and some chairs lined up.
Most of the food vendors did not have accessible food counters
It’d be great to have more places to sit and more shade/shelter as we’re an aging demographic

Accessability Feedback Response

We will be working with Stagecoach & 247 for more accessibility solutions doing the Parade in 2025
We will be discussing the accessability solutions for 2025 at our committee meetings to ensure everyone is included during our pride 2025 event
Unfortunately as food vendors are not supplied by hastings pride directlywe have limited control over this however we will hold discussions with the vendors regarding accessibility solutions during the event
This is something the team are looking to discuss in our committee meetings and we will update our accessibility pages once the details have been finalised

Facilities Feedback

I found that the wheel chair accessible toilet was difficult to access for a friend who had mobility issues as it was on a slight hill. She had to queue for a while too. Can they be moved to a flat area like last year. Can it also be a disabled toilet only.
Toilets and bins great. Water points? Where were these ?
Clean throughout the day. Not an easy task
Toilets in the table sponsor bit could attract more contributions

Facilities Feedback Response

One of the points the committee and directors will be reviewing is the location of facilities and events at the oval. We will take this feedback on board while planning the site for 2025.
We will ensure more appropriate signage is include for facilities and events within the oval for 2025.
Our site crew and volunteer team had worked hard during the day to keep the site clean and tidy so thank you for the positive feedback
We are currently reviewing the business sponsorship packages and also the crowdfunding support package so make sure to stay tuned for a revamped package this year!

Donations & Collections Feedback

Managed to donate easily enough in the collection bucket. Had a card machine too so that was helpful for my friends who don’t carry cash.
I didn’t see any donation collection buckets. I was mainly in the tent and it wasn’t announced. Would be good if they announced or went round at the start/end of stage shows and asked for donations. I did arrive later afternoon though.
Fine if you’re carrying cash, but what about a QR code for online donations?
Pride should make a full declaration of how much was collected from the buckets etc

Donations & Collections Feedback Response

Thank you for donating and supporting Hastings Pride! We’re glad to hear you had an easy experience with this. We are looking into more options for this year to make it even easier for people to support pride
Collection buckets are available throughout the site and parade march with various ways to donate. We are looking at making this clearer and easier for 2025
One of the options we are looking into for 2025 is easier donations and online options for supporters.
The Pride team do declare finances in the annual accounts published year on year online, we will be reviewing our advertisement and marketing strategies for the coming year and how to improve upon these as part of our committee meetings.

Additional Comments

Better advertising sooner Better fundraising sooner More variety of acts
Overall me and my friends had a great experience. We felt safe and welcomed. The entertainment was good.
Charge a fiver on the door. People would be happy to pay it! Pride has progressively for worse since the year on the pier. We haven’t missed one yet. But was poor and would perhaps not attend next year.
Pride needs to be open to declare a full profit and loss assessment and what funds are carried over to next year. It needs to change so its doesn’t became same on same each year. Add some variety into things.
You didn’t notify residents local to the oval of event timings or contact details for excessive noise. Other events have been far more courteous. We have to suffer lots of events at the oval and Pride was one of the loudest. There was nobody we could contact when the inside of our houses were dominated by the event. And no this isn’t homophobia. I’m a lesbian and I like a good Pride. But please be thoughtful of those around you.
Start fundraising earlier, promote earlier and don’t leave everything until the last minute
Organisers need to tap in to bigger businesses and their community funds like Lidl Tesco etc, local businesses are amazing but have limited funds, live steaming beforehand, tik toks better social media coverage for bigger reach. Speak to school trusts and performing arts schools, white rock etc to get performances that may encourage people to attend

Additional Comments Response

We have already started making improvements to our advertising strategies including revamping our website, stronger social media presence throughout the year. We are also reviewing our crowdfunding and business sponsor packages to help make pride bigger and better for years to come. As well as reviewing our line ups and introducing more local talent.
Thank you for the lovely feedback! It’s great to hear we are having an impact in the community and actively strive to make more of an impact year on year.
We want to avoid the commercialisation of Hastings Pride as by charging an entry fee where reasonably possible. Having formed the committee we are working on new and updated advertising, sponsorship and crowdfunding packages as well as a refreshment on the line up and entertainment throughout the day. We are also actively promoting for local businesses to sign up for a stall, groups to participate in the parade and volunteers to join us on the crew
The team do publish their accounts each year as required on companies house, with this year resulting in more funds being available after 2024 filtering into the 2025 event. We have formed a committee to help advise the board of directors on areas and are working well as a team to make Pride 2025 even better.
We apologise that local residents feel the pride event was excessively loud this year with poor communication. While we admit things were rushed in reason to the cancellation and restart of the event 2-3 weeks prior to the date. Hastings Pride has for the last 9 years been held on the same bank holiday weekend in august and this date will be used going forward, we will review our contact options to ensure residents have a focal point of contact during the event to raise and comments or concerns with us.
We have already started our funding bids and recruitment drive activities for 2025. We started receiving applications for the parade and stalls within a few days of the pride 2024 event. Our team are working hard to keep in contact with those who have signed up and actively advertise for more applications to build pride into a bigger and better event each year.
We are tapping into more business, funding options and plan on making things bigger year on year with more support from both local and bigger businesses.