Manchester Pride, the UK’s leading Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community festival, has today announced a 2012 fundraising total of £52,000 for North West LGBT and HIV charities and revealed plans to overhaul next year’s festival.

The event, which is designed to celebrate and champion Manchester’s LGBT community through a series of events every August, also raises money for good causes although this year’s total is down by 50% on 2011.

Organisers attribute the drop to a combination of relentless rain over the Big Weekend in August, the bank holiday falling early and acts being confirmed later than usual which led to lower than normal attendance figures - all against the backdrop of a UK-wide decline of 20% in charitable giving.

“Bad weather cancelled many local and national festivals this year so whilst we’re disappointed not to have matched last year’s fundraising total I’m glad we were able to generate a profit for our charities, many of which rely on us to keep operating,” explained Manchester Pride Chief Executive, John Stewart.

“In its current format, Manchester Pride does a good job of fulfilling its objectives of celebrating and campaigning for LGBT people but as a charity we also need to significantly increase fundraising. We will achieve this by introducing new elements to Manchester Pride, looking to change those aspects that people who come don’t like and by examining how we can reduce our costs again in 2013. I’m confident that next year will see a much fresher festival and significantly more money going to charity.”

Organisers are keen to stress that Pride-goers will have a say in the changes. Community and online consultations that started in the Summer will continue next year as organisers begin to shape Manchester Pride 2013.

The popular Manchester Pride Fringe, which has taken place in the week prior to the Big Weekend, will eventually move in 2014 to become a summer arts festival staged around the city centre in addition to showcasing the best in LGBT arts and theatre talent. In 2013, the Fringe will be extended to run for two weeks prior to the Big Weekend so that people have more chance to enjoy it.

Also planned for 2013 is a new Manchester Pride Community Festival, a free to enter event in the Village which will take place in early Summer and bring together all of Manchester Pride’s charity partners to showcase their work and raise additional funds.

The popular, flamboyant parade through the city centre and the HIV vigil, both free to attend, will continue as part of the Big Weekend with the majority of the festival’s entertainment taking place as part of a paid-for event in the Village. Once inside, wristband holders are promised new undercover areas and more space in the outdoor main stage arena with fundraising activities playing a much more prominent role throughout the weekend.

Although changes are planned for 2013, organisers are committed to Manchester’s Gay Village remaining at its heart putting paid to rumours of a move to a festival park format.

John Stewart continues: “Manchester Pride is the only pride in the UK to consistently raise money but it needs to evolve if it is to continue to meet its aims. We hope that by spreading events through the year, adding new content to broaden our appeal and overhauling the Big Weekend festival site to bring some of the entertainment undercover will generate more money for charity and refresh the festival for the thousands of people who enjoy it every year.”