WESTON-SUPER-MARE will host the much-anticipated Pride in Weston event this weekend.

Members and allies of the LGBTQIA+ community will flock to the seaside town for celebrations this Saturday September 30.

The event has been postponed since the beginning of July to ensure safety for all in attendance.

Bus services

With rail strikes planned for the weekend, First Bus have put plans in place to help those hoping to visit Weston for the pride event.

Up to five people can travel all day via bus services 6 and 7 for £7.20 on a Weston Group Zone ticket.

The X1 service from Bristol Bus Station runs every 30 minutes and can transport those from Bristol to the Weston Interchange which is a short walk from the festival site in Grove Park.

The full list of bus services for Weston Pride can be found below:

Towards Grove Park

1:           Weston-super-Mare – Sand Bay (every hour, 8.30am - 6.30pm on Saturdays)

X5:         Portishead – Clevedon – Weston-super-Mare (every hour, 8am - 7.30pm on Saturdays)

6:           Worle – Weston-super-Mare (every half hour, 7.30am - 10.20pm on Saturdays)

7:           Worle – Weston-super-Mare (every half hour, 7.38am -11.08pm on Saturdays)

 Towards town centre / interchange

X1:        Bristol – Weston-super-Mare (every half hour, 6.55am - 12:15am on Saturdays)

A3:        Bristol Airport – Weston-super-Mare (every hour, 3.10am - 12:10am on Saturdays)

125:       Wrington – Weston-super-Mare (every two hours (except last service), 8.45am - 5.45pm on Saturdays)

20:         Burnham-on-Sea – Weston-super-Mare (every hour, 8:05am - 7pm on Saturdays)

Bus ticket prices

  • Single tickets: £2 for adults, £1.70 for 16-21 year olds/students, £1 for 5-15 year olds
  • Two ticket/return: £3.40 for adults, £2.80 for 16-21 year olds/students, £1.70 for 5-15 year olds
  • Weston zone group ticket for 5 people £7.20
  • West of England group ticket for 5 people £14

Event information

The day will kick off with a parade from Knightstone Island, starting at 11am. 

The march will continue along Royal Parade, Regent Street and through the pedestrianised High Street leading to Grove Park, over the course of an hour.

It will end at Grove Park, the site for Pride in Weston's main event, which will be open until 9pm.

The park is expected to be packed with stalls, musicians and entertainment.

First Bus's West of England team will showcase their specially designed pride bus at the main event, as well as offering "games and goodies".

Sarah Wallbridge, Marketing Manager for First West of England, said: “After a summer packed with events, parades and roadshows, Weston’s Pride is one of the final events of the season as we prepare to enter the Autumn and Winter, and we’re looking forward to meeting lots of you in the seaside town this weekend – let’s hope the late summer sun keeps shining.”

Sponsorship

The Pride in Weston event will be sponsored this year by convenience retailer One Stop.

They will host a stall in Grove Park for people to speak with One Stop representatives about job vacancies, and also pick up a goodie bag.

Aimee Mottram, Head of Supply Chain Transformation and LGBTQ+ Network Sponsor at One Stop, said: “At One Stop, we’re committed to serving & supporting the local communities our stores are located in, so sponsoring Pride in Weston for the first ever time is an honour!  

Being able to show that One Stop is an inclusive LGBTQ+ employer and a safe place for the community is incredibly important to us.” 

A spokesperson from Pride in Weston said: "Pride in Weston are proud to provide a platform for the LGBTQ+ community, friends and family to be visible throughout North Somerset and beyond.

"We’re extremely grateful for the support and sponsorship from One Stop this year!”