Hastings Pride 2024 cancelled amid financial difficulties
A "considerable funding and sponsorship deficit" is behind the decision
The organisers of Hastings Pride have announced this year's event has been cancelled.
A parade and festival at the Oval was due to take place on Saturday 25 August.
But in a statement on Facebook, a "considerable funding and sponsorship deficit" has been blamed for the 2024 event not being able to go ahead.
Organisers say their main sponsor changed their funding criteria, making the festival ineligible to apply for funding, whilst other sources of funding "were no longer available or considerably reduced."
The event's directors did not wish to "gamble" on their financial position, leading to cancellation to avoid penalties for the late cancellation of infrastructure and acts.
Hastings Pride say the decisions "has not been taken lightly", especially after other efforts to reduce event costs, and acknowledge the news is a "great disappointment" to the local community.
Organisers say their efforts are now turning towards next year's Pride event.