Manchester Pride is dedicated to making sure the charity's events are accessible to everyone. Each year we continue to conduct numerous accessibility listening groups, and we also seek expert advice from relevant disability charities and communities who we feel can offer valuable input on our accessibility offerings for all of our events.
At Manchester Pride Festival, we make temporary, reasonable adjustments to the area to provide access to the event site and staged event areas. We are aware of the limitations and restrictions of making the Gay Village Party event site fully accessible due to the nature of the location of the event.
1. Purchase a Gay Village Party ticket for yourself first – If you are planning to apply for a PA ticket, do not purchase a ticket for that person.
2. Once you have purchased a ticket, please submit an Access Application Form to let us know about your accessibility requirements.
3. Upload some supporting evidence with your application via the Access Application Form. This could be anything such as a PIP letter, DWP letter, Access Card or a diagnosis letter. We appreciate that some people may require assistance but not be in receipt of any of the above - please contact us to discuss your access requirements. Each request will be looked at individually.
4. We will reply to you within 10 working days with an outcome to your application.
5. Applications close at 6pm 9th August 2024.
Accessible Toilets
We will have a number of accessible toilets on site at Manchester Pride Festival. The locations of these will be shared closer to the event.
Viewing Platforms
We will have an accessible viewing platform at the Alan Turing stage and at The Village stage. These are run on a first come, first served basis.
Access Reception/Team
The Access Team will be based here if you have any questions or queries over Manchester Pride Festival weekend. The Access Reception will be located at the Box Office area. The Access Team will be wearing pink Hi-Vis vests with a wheelchair user symbol on the back.
Parade Viewing Area
Each year we offer an accessible Parade viewing area. Please check back for more information closer to the festival.
Quiet Space
We are hoping to provide a Quiet Space again this year. More details about this will be provided closer to the festival.
BSL
We will have BSL interpreters for all performances that have words or lyrics. The interpreters will generally be located to the left of the stage. Please note that there will not be a BSL interpreter at the MancUnity Stage in the Gay Village Party as this stage consists mainly of dance music and contains no spoken word. BSL assisted performance times will be confirmed closer to the event.
Assistance Dogs
Registered assistance dogs are welcome on site. We ask you to please consider the welfare of these animals when in loud and crowded areas.
Bars and Traders Adjustments
We aim to have large print plain text menus available at all bars and traders at the Gay Village Party again this year. We are also liaising with the bars and traders team to build lowered serving points where possible.
Hearing Loops
We aim to have hearing loops at various locations across the Gay Village Party. The locations of these will be confirmed closer to the event.
Medical Fridge
We will have a Medical Fridge on site for storing medication. This will be located in the Access Reception.
Accessibility Info Pack
Before the festival we send out an access info pack to customers who have had their applications approved. This has some more details about our provisions and a little more info about Manchester Pride Festival for your convenience.
Manchester enjoys first-class transport links, making it easy to get to the city, Manchester Pride Festival and for exploring Greater Manchester.
For travel information to get to Manchester please visit here.
For travel around Manchester once you arrive in our fabulous city, there are a number of transport networks to choose from:
Metrolink
Manchester's light tramway system runs a fast and frequent service and is ideal for getting to Manchester Pride. Metrolink is accessible with step-free platforms. Manchester Pride takes place at multiple venues across the city, and is accessible from most city centre stops. The nearest Metrolink stops to the Gay Village are Manchester Piccadilly (approximately 5 minutes away) and Manchester Piccadilly Gardens (approximately 5 minutes away). The Parade works its way across the city and so any number of Metrolink stops will get you close to the action.
Free Metroshuttle
Getting in and around the city centre is easy and free with Metroshuttle. The shuttle buses pick up outside Piccadilly Station, on the approach and travel to key areas including Oxford Road, Deansgate, Portland Street and Spinningfields. The Metroshuttle is fully accessible with step-free access to pavements.
Bus Network
Greater Manchester has an extensive bus network. The nearest bus stop to The Gay Village is located on Portland Street just outside Caffé Nero, or on the opposite side of the street next door to Yates bar. Manchester Piccadilly bus station is a short walk (approximately 5 minutes away) from The Gay Village.
Parking
Manchester City Council offers over 15,000 secure parking spaces as well as on-street parking. There are a number of accessible car parking facilities around the city close to our Event Sites. The nearest accessible NCP Car Parks to Manchester Pride Festival are Minshull Street, Sheffield Street and Piccadilly Plaza. Please check the NCP website here for fees and further info.
We have a dedicated Accessibility team on site at Manchester Pride Festival across August Bank Holiday weekend who will be able to assist customers with any individual access needs.
If you need support in regards to Accessibility prior to Manchester Pride Festival:
You can email our Access Team at accessibility@manchesterpride.com or you can call the Manchester Pride Office at 0161 831 7700.
If you need support in regards to Accessibility during Manchester Pride Festival:
If you require any assistance while at the festival, we encourage you to approach a member of festival staff who has a radio and ask them to get in touch with the Access Team. Alternatively, you can call the Access Team on +44 (0) 7514794496.
This phone number will be active at the following times:
Carer/Personal Assistant Applications are available here.
In our commitment to making Manchester Pride Festival accessible to everyone, we provide ticket holders with disabilities that require full-time assistance with a complimentary ticket for their carer/personal assistant. Carer/Personal Assistant Tickets are limited to 1 per applicant. We kindly ask that you purchase your own Gay Village Party ticket online first, and then complete our form to request your complimentary Carer/Personal Assistant Ticket.
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