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BRUM NEEDS MORE PRIDE IN GAY VILLAGE

24-05-2008

Gay pride

As Birmingham prepares for the weekend’s Pride Festival, campaigners are calling for a dramatic upgrade to the city’s Gay Village around Hurst Street, which they describe as “appalling”.

Plans have been drawn up with the City Council for a revamp including new paving, lighting, wider pavements and public art.

There’s just one snag – there’s no means of funding it.

As with the new Central Library, the local authority is relying on Section 106 agreements – trade-offs with developers when new planning proposals are agreed. But as there are so many claims on this pot of money, there’s no indication of when the Village will get its share of the cash.

Local photographer David Viney of the Birmingham Pride Community Trust said, “There is a huge sense of frustration in the gay community on this issue, whilst gay businesses have invested heavily in the area we feel the council does not see the value of the community or its potential.

"For many this sends a very negative message from Birmingham City Council on how they value the city's gay citizens."

"Interestingly the first 2000 signatures collected, before Pride, show 35% were visitors to Birmingham from across the Midlands and the UK. We feel this highlights the urgent need to address the situation in the gay village, as for many this scruffy area is there first impression of tourists Birmingham."

Does the Gay Village need a major upgrade? Leave a comment on The Stirrer Forum.