THOUSANDS of visitors will flock to Southend for Pride this year with the event set to be given the go ahead - albeit with a difference.

The Pride parade on Southend High Street brings in swathes of crowds, and the annual event will take place on July 17, pending final approval from council chiefs.

Due to Covid-19 and plans to spread the crowds across the town, the music festival in Warrior Square will not be going ahead.

Instead, pubs, bars, and restaurants are being encouraged to sell Pride-themed cocktails and to hold events themselves throughout the Saturday afternoon and evening.

Organisers are also planning to spread the celebrations right down to the seafront.

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Sam Adams, the chair of Southend Pride, said: “It’s going to be a lot different because of Covid. There won’t be a festival at all.

“Covid has had a huge impact on the LGBT community. The lockdowns have prevented people from being themselves.

“Southend Pride allows you to do that. People want to be themselves.

“It gives people confidence coming out of Covid.

“It’s essential for the town, it brings everyone together.

“It’s so empowering for everyone who comes along.”

Seafront venues and businesses are being lined up to hold events for Pride.

Maps and signs will appear across the high street and seafront, directing visitors to the different activities.

In a letter from Southend Pride to Southend Bid and Southend Council, organisers outlined their plans.

It reads: “The parade attendees will muster in Royals Square.

“The parade has attracted around 2000 people and gathers momentum as it moves north along Southend High Street, culminating at the event space by The Victoria.

“Following the parade there will be various pockets of activities in and around the High Street and Seafront, encouraging people to disperse.

“We would like to invite as many businesses as possible to be involved, whether it’s hosting an event, offering Pride related food, drinks, or merchandise, or simply hanging a flag outside the premises or, even better, dedicating a whole window display.”

Plans also include live music from street buskers, a family zone inside the Royals Shopping Centre, street art, and a “kings vs queens” live event.

The letter continues: “Southend Pride centres itself on core principles: celebrating diversity, inclusion for all, equality, and community cohesion.

“We believe that the planned celebrations for this year encompass these core principles and will help create a community cohesion that we have all missed.”