Today, after many denials, it is confirmed Pride must move after claims by the political elite, there would be no impact.
In a city, where the SRF development plans for the area, agreed on hearsay and is STILL not released, the concerns of this property and political rush and these implications are very worrying for the area indeed.
The Friends were told by the leader in June, that the SRF would not be agreed until there was further consultation before September. The next day that promise was broken. The final draft has not been seen and the demolition of one carpark for another seems to be being forced through.
Pride is its first casualty, but there could and should be contingencies to keep it as near to the Village as possible, rather than risk the exodus of an area which has been let down by the same political names. Mayfield for examples, next to Piccadilly Station could offer that. The best solutions have to be found, not behind-closed-doors without debate.
Manchester Pride has had their hand forced and will need to find a new home. But this will require honesty, transparency and debate, that the politicians have not shown the LGBTQ community with the ongoing SRF saga and the ruse that works against genuine debate or consultation for the area.
We all must demand transparency, scrutiny and openness, and not let the same too long leaders railroad the process and present their failures as success.
All stakeholders in the Village and the area must tread warily and demand the voice, which they have hitherto not been given.
See the latest update of what was disparaged in the Planning Meeting and by the Executive who said this too, would not happen. Another truth and consequence have been exposed.