Organisers of the first-ever Poole Pride next month have called off a planned evening concert which was due to close the all-day celebration.
Lighthouse Poole, which is hosting the event, says the difficult decision was taken after insufficient advance ticket sales.
The venue said it had not been possible to find a suitable replacement after the contracted headline act, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, pulled out.
Ticket holders have been contacted.
The free-to-access family-friendly daytime variety show, hosted by Chris Jarvis, is on Saturday June 8.
It includes a Proud Pooches dog show, free cabaret showcase of local LGBTQ+ performers, Poole’s first Queer Film Festival and ‘We Didn’t Know Whether It Was a Revolution or a Party’, the free exhibition of artwork inspired by the archive of pioneering gay activist John Chesterman.
Poole Pride has enjoyed the support of Bournemouth’s well established Pride event, Bourne Free.
Most of the artists booked for Poole Pride will now appear at Bourne Free’s annual event in Meyrick Park on Saturday July 6.
Tim Colegate, Head of Programming at Lighthouse, said: “After exploring a range of line up options and different ways to make this work, we have not taken this step lightly.
“Poole’s first Pride event should be a building block for the future – and that’s exactly what the exhibition, film festival and free daytime programme will be.
“We are hugely grateful for the loyal support of the community, our friends and sponsors, as well as the artists, who we look forward to seeing at Bourne Free.
“Meanwhile, there’s still a fantastic day of family fun and entertainment that Poole can be proud of at Lighthouse on Saturday 8 June.”
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