Bosses of Kent’s biggest Pride festival have described their shock as council bosses say next year’s extravaganza cannot be held in the park it calls home.

Canterbury City Council has suspended all events at the Dane John Gardens for 2025 to roll out new improvements paid for through the government’s Levelling Up fund.

But while new lighting, pathways, flower beds and power supplies will eventually enhance the grounds, Pride and other festivals will need to find new venues.

The LGBTQI+ celebration has called Dane John its home for the past eight years, attracting about 20,000 people.

But now organisers are unclear where they will hold next summer’s event and have expressed alarm at the council’s decision.

Entertainment director Stephen Sullivan said: “Pride Canterbury is concerned about the potential impact of the Levelling Up works in Dane John Gardens on next year's Pride event.

“Despite having been consulted several times during the Levelling Up process on ways to enhance Dane John Gardens for events, we were shocked to receive one phone call informing us that the park would be unavailable for events in 2025.

“Since then, we have repeatedly requested a meeting to discuss the plans, scheduling, and any possible mitigations. However, we are still awaiting a response.”

Cllr Charlotte Cornell, cabinet member responsible for park improvement works, said events will benefit from the improvements in 2026.

“This news may disappoint some people, but we have been proactive with event organisers and let them know in plenty of time that they will need to change their plans and consider alternative sites for 2025,” she said.

“Our brilliant and highly-experienced events officer Derek will be on hand to work with organisers and provide as much support with this as he can.

“And the really good news is when we get to 2026, everyone will be able to enjoy events in a hugely improved Dane John.”

Other popular events such as Canterbury’s food festival will also need to find a new home for 2025.

Furthermore, the resident cafe, Don Juan will be closing down ahead of being demolished and rebuilt next year.

Council spokesman Robert Davies added: “There are no specific work dates yet, but we can't legislate for events in Dane John next year due to the complexities of the project, the necessary consents, and the tender timelines.

“That, coupled with the lead times needed for planning the events themselves, means it is impossible to schedule them in that space in 2025.”

The space will remain open to the public, and areas may be fenced off while construction takes place.

Canterbury City Council was awarded its Levelling Up Fund grant in January 2023, with a view to spruce up Dane John, which dates back to 1551.

Work was supposed to begin last month but has been pushed back.

The area which hosts the cafe is set to expand, with extra seating for customers and visitors and existing green shipping containers removed.

The bandstand in the centre of the park will have new railings and the slopes of grass all around the park’s green space are set to host tiered seating.

Other parts of the city poised for regeneration from the Levelling Up funding include Westgate Towers and Canterbury Castle.