Chichester Pride
Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts
Year Ended 30 September 2025
Registered Charity Number 1210326
Chichester Pride Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts Year Ended 30 September 2025
Contents
Reference and administrative details ........................................................................... 3 Trustees’ report ........................................................................................................... 4 Independent examiner’s report .................................................................................. 16 Receipts and payments account year ended 30 September 2025 ............................... 17 Statement of assets and liabilities at 30 September 2025 ........................................... 18 Notes to the accounts for the year ended 30 September 2025 .................................... 19
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Chichester Pride Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts Year Ended 30 September 2025
Reference and Administrative Details
Chichester Pride was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales as a CIO – Foundation on 3 October 2024.
Registered Charity Number:
1210326
Principal Office Address:
Chichester Pride
Cawley Priory South Pallant Chichester PO19 1SY
Trustees
Stuart Burrows Chair Dr Tara Bergara Jonathan Clines Alex Hedley Thomas William Leavesley-Matthews Adam Stocker
(appointed 30 September 2024) (appointed 30 September 2024) (appointed 30 September 2024) (appointed 30 September 2024) (appointed 8 December 2025) (appointed 30 September 2024 and resigned 8 December 2025)
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Chichester Pride Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts Year Ended 30 September 2025
Trustees’ Report
Objectives and activities
The objects of Chichester Pride are to promote equality and diversity for the public benefit as well as promoting the elimination of discrimination with regards to sexual orientation and gender identity in Chichester through:
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(1) Organising and promoting events throughout the year to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and raise awareness of discrimination and other issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community and the advancement of LGBTQ+ rights.
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(2) Organising an annual Pride event and parade, celebrating the LGBTQ+ community and providing a space for discussion and advancement of LGBTQ+ rights.
The Trustees would like to note that they have had regard to the guidance from the Charity Commission on public benefit. Chichester Pride does not employ any paid staff and all acquired funds are utilised in an effective, efficient and economic manner.
Structure, governance and management
Chichester Pride was registered as a Foundation Charitable Incorporated Organisation in England and Wales on 3[rd] October 2024 and is governed by its constitution. The constitution was agreed on 30[th] September 2024 and has not been amended since then. The management of the charity is the responsibility of the Board of Trustees who are appointed under the terms of the constitution. Apart from the first charity trustees, every trustee is appointed by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees.
Trustees have agreed policies relating to the operation of the charity.
Day-to-day tasks are delegated to the main Committee and sub-committees such as Parade, Event Management, Entertainment, Sponsorship, Accounts, Stalls and Volunteer Management. One or more trustees is on each sub-committee which meets and corresponds as necessary, reporting back to the main Committee periodically and to the Trustees quarterly.
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Chichester Pride Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts Year Ended 30 September 2025
Achievements and performance
During the year ending 30 September 2025, Chichester Pride continued to fulfil its charitable objectives of promoting equality, diversity and inclusion for LGBTQ+ people across Chichester and West Sussex.
Our annual Pride event remained the centrepiece of our activities.
The 2025 parade was our largest and most visible to date, with approximately 250 participants joining an expanded route through the city centre. For the first time, the parade included vehicles, increasing accessibility and visibility while demonstrating growing support from local organisations and employers. Hundreds of residents, visitors and workers lined the streets creating a highly visible public celebration of inclusion and equality. The parade concluded with speeches from our chair, a member of the trans community and a personal speech from local MP, Jess Brown- Fuller.
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Chichester Pride Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts Year Ended 30 September 2025
Once again, the Chichester Business Improvement District (BID) placed Pride Progress Flags throughout the city centre, creating a highly visual display of inclusivity and connection for residents and visitors to the city. Chichester Pride ran a retail window competition for businesses within the city walls resulting in dozens of colourful displays of support for the charity and demonstrating support for the LGBTQ+ community. The city council also lit up key landmarks such as the historic central Market Cross in Pride colours on the day of our event.
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Chichester Pride Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts Year Ended 30 September 2025
Our Pride Festival showcased a diverse programme of local performers, community organisations and high-profile professional artists, with seven hours of non-stop entertainment.
The event was attended by 1300 visitors, evidenced through online and on-the-gate ticket sales. Despite inflationary pressures, we only made a very small increase in ticket prices to adults but added a student discount for the first time. Ticket sales were a little lower than the 2024 although a predicted rainy day was a significant factor in last minute ticket sales. A significant number of tickets sold at concessionary prices, further reflecting our commitment to make the event as inclusive as possible.
We welcomed over 40 businesses, employers, community groups, charities and food and drink retailers to the Festival as stallholders, which provided a vibrant showcase of local organisations who are committed to diversity and inclusion.
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Chichester Pride Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts Year Ended 30 September 2025
We continued our commitment to accessibility by providing British Sign Language interpretation throughout the event and enhanced our disability viewing platform. We also subsidised stall space for local charities and LGBTQ+ community groups, helping to strengthen the wider support network available to our community.
Feedback is important to us from our sponsors, stallholders, paraders and performers and the trustees review this feedback regularly to ensure that lessons are properly learnt and our parade and event are both better each year.
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Chichester Pride Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts Year Ended 30 September 2025
During the year, the organisation continued its evolution from an annual Pride parade and event into a year-round community organisation supporting visibility, inclusion, education and community connection for LGBTQ+ people and their allies.
A significant achievement during the year was the “Out and Proud” exhibition at The Novium Museum, in Chichester. Running for nine months and opening to coincide with LGBTQ+ History Month in February 2025, the exhibition celebrated the stories, experiences and contributions of LGBTQ+ people connected to Chichester and the surrounding area. Thousands of visitors attended the exhibition and it provided an important educational resource for visitors, schools and community groups while helping to ensure that LGBTQ+ history is recognised as an integral part of the city’s heritage.
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Chichester Pride Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts Year Ended 30 September 2025
Some feedback from visitors to the “Out and Proud Exhibition”
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Thank you for this celebration and education about our LGBTQ+ community
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As a mother with LGBTQ+ children, it makes me want to celebrate them more
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This exhibition is a great serious showcase for showing that LGBTQ+ are normal and part of everyone’s life. Much needed in today’s legislation and society.
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So lovely to be represented at last
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Lovely local stories! Showing the importance of Pride on small & big scales
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Seeing representation in the museum, means so much!!
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As a proud dad of a trans daughter, this means a lot!
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An important message & opportunity for education. One of my grandsons is gay – happy & beloved.
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I love that it amplifies queer voices to create a joyful safe space of powerful connection.
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Very interesting & informative and lovely to see some free queer history! Thank you.
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Beyond happy to see Chichester becoming safer & more inclusive each day.
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Exhibits like this mean so much to the community and are vital for maintaining safety & love for all!
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The exhibition brought me so much joy and provided a sense of belonging I didn’t have in my previous town – thank you!
We were particularly pleased that items from the exhibition were retained within The Novium’s permanent collection, creating a lasting legacy beyond the exhibition itself.
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Chichester Pride Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts Year Ended 30 September 2025
Throughout the year, Chichester Pride continued to develop opportunities for community connection, collaboration and visibility. External events have included our annual ‘Summer Late’ event in collaboration with Pallant House Gallery, a special Pride Evensong at Chichester Cathedral, as well as a number of fundraising and social events.
We were invited to take part in several collaborative discussions linked to productions exploring LGBTQ+ history and experiences, including a post-show discussion at the Chichester Festival Theatre following a performance of “After The Act”, a musical that explores the impact and legacy of Section 28.
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Chichester Pride Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts Year Ended 30 September 2025
Beyond our growing portfolio of events, we strengthened our role as a community connector. We worked closely with local LGBTQ+community groups including Sussex Transcendence, Queer Women of Chichester and the Tuesday Community Group, helping to improve communication, increase awareness of available support and distribute information to hundreds of people across the district. Chichester Pride designed and produced a leaflet promoting these local groups for distribution throughout West Sussex. We have attended weekly markets in the city, providing face to face support and increasing awareness of our work. We were also present at the annual Chichester Gala event as well as contributing to a local DEI forum, organised by Chichester Festival Theatre and attended by key local organisations.
We also facilitated stronger dialogue between the LGBTQ+ community and local neighbourhood policing teams, supporting the establishment of regular community meetings focused on safety, reporting of hate incidents and community confidence.
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Chichester Pride Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts Year Ended 30 September 2025
These meetings, which are open to all from our community, are now planned to take place on a regular basis throughout the year.
Our reputation locally increases all the time reflected by our invitation to participate in the City Council’s annual Remembrance Sunday event in which we marched and laid a wreath commemorating those from the LGBTQ+ community who gave their lives for their country. We have also strengthened our relationship with the local university and three trustees gave up their time to first year business students on a course project concluding with presentations of their ideas.
Through these relationships, Chichester Pride was able to extend its reach, support educational initiatives and ensure that LGBTQ+ voices were represented within wider civic and cultural discussions.
The trustees remain particularly grateful to our volunteer team, which grew to approximately 80 people during the year. Their dedication enables the charity to deliver activities throughout the year and not solely around Pride season. The trustees estimate the total volunteer hours throughout the charity at 5,000 hours.
Our social media channels continued to expand their reach, with a combined audience of more than 5,000 followers, allowing us to share information, promote local support services and highlight issues affecting LGBTQ+ people across the region.
The charity’s growing profile was recognised through a Chichester City Council Community Award and a Highly Commended award in the Outstanding Contribution to the Community category at the Chichester and Bognor Regis Business Awards. While these accolades were welcome recognition, they primarily reflect the commitment and contribution of our volunteers, sponsors and supporters whose efforts make our work possible.
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Chichester Pride Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts Year Ended 30 September 2025
Looking ahead, the trustees are encouraged by the continued growth of Chichester Pride and the increasing demand for our activities. Following the successful delivery of Chichester Pride on 23[rd] May 2026, we remain committed to building on our partnerships, expanding opportunities for community engagement, improving accessibility and ensuring that LGBTQ+ people across Chichester can feel visible, valued, supported and connected.
The trustees are also focused on strengthening governance, financial sustainability and volunteer development to ensure the charity can continue to grow and serve the community in the years ahead.
We recognise that, despite significant progress, many members of our community continue to experience discrimination, isolation and barriers to participation. Chichester
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Chichester Pride Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts Year Ended 30 September 2025
Pride will continue to use its platform to promote inclusion, celebrate diversity and advocate for equality for all.
Financial review and reserves policy
The charity was formed in October 2024, taking over assets of £18,411 from the former Chichester Pride community group. Excluding this transfer, receipts for the year were £49,321 and total payments were £55,647, resulting in a net deficit of £6,326. This was due to lower ticket sales than budgeted because of overcast skies and rain on the main Pride Event day on 24 May 2025.
The total funds at year end were £12,085, all unrestricted.
The charity’s reserve policy target levels are:
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Minimum: £10,000 – The minimum amount to cover essential pre-event, emergency costs and ensure organisational resilience.
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Preferred: £15,000 – Sufficient to cover unanticipated expenses, cashflow gaps arising from loss of income, and core commitments in a low income year.
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Upper Limit: £20,000 – If reserves exceed this level, Trustees will consider how best to apply the excess to charitable purposes. This may include but is not limited to investing in new projects, increasing charitable activity or employing staff.
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The actual reserves at year end were above Minimum and below Preferred. The trustees will set a budget for year ended 30 September 2026 to produce a surplus, to replenish reserves to the Preferred level.
There were no financial uncertainties at year end.
Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ annual report and the yearend accounts.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees:
Name Stuart Burrows Signature
Position Chair Date 28 July 2026
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Chichester Pride Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts Year Ended 30 September 2025
Independent Examiner’s Report
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Chichester Pride
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 30 September 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Katie Wilson FCA Blue Spire Limited, Chartered Accountants Cawley Priory South Pallant Chichester West Sussex PO19 1SY
Date 29 July 2026
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Chichester Pride Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts Year Ended 30 September 2025
Receipts and payments account year ended 30 September 2025
| Receipts Sponsorship Pride ticket sales Stalls Raffles and fundraising tickets Merchandise sales Donations Funds received from Chichester Pride Community Group Total receipts Payments Cost of goods sold Event security Event staging Event performers Event accessibility Event other Advertising and marketing Novium museum exhibition Parade Administrative expenses Non Pride events Total payments Net receipts/(payments) Funds Opening funds Net receipts/(payments) Closing funds |
2025 £25,500 £11,092 £7,467 £4,602 £540 £120 £18,411 |
|---|---|
| £67,732 £202 £19,035 £11,567 £6,330 £600 £5,856 £4,670 £2,700 £2,561 £1,318 £808 |
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| £55,647 £12,085 £- £12,085 |
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| £12,085 |
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Chichester Pride Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts Year Ended 30 September 2025
Statement of assets and liabilities at 30 September 2025
| Monetary assets Current account Deposit account Total monetary assets Represented by funds Unrestricted funds Total funds Non-monetary assets and liabilities Fixed assets – event and sponsor banners Debtors – accounts receivable Liabilities - independent examination fees Total non-monetary assets and liabilities |
2025 £2,085 £10,000 |
|---|---|
| £12,085 | |
| £12,085 | |
| £12,085 | |
| £1,000 £100 |
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| (£600) | |
| £500 |
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Chichester Pride Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts Year Ended 30 September 2025
Notes to the accounts for the year ended 30 September 2025
Accounting policies
These accounts are prepared on a receipts and payments basis, with all revenue and expenses shown on a cash basis.
VAT
The charity is not registered for VAT and, accordingly, expenditure includes VAT where appropriate.
Guarantees and secured debts
The trustees confirm, in accordance with the Charitable Incorporated Organisations (General) Regulations 2012, that at year end the charity did not have any outstanding guarantees to third parties or any debts secured on assets of the CIO.
Trustee remuneration
No remuneration was paid to a trustee or connected person.
Trustee expenses
There were no expenses paid to trustees.
Related party transactions
During the year under review, a donation of £150 was received from the trustee, Stuart Burrows.
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