Pride At Currys Goes to Manchester Pride Parade

Sarah Burrows, Co-Chair of Pride at Currys, tells us about their experience in Manchester Pride.

Last year (2022), for the first time in Currys history, we joined thousands of people marching in Manchester’s annual Pride Parade. With the screams of solidarity from people watching from the sides and in the parade. The atmosphere was intensely electric. It was a feeling that is hard to describe properly even today. From getting lost in the atmosphere and briefly losing my voice.

What was it like, going from a concept in an interview, to help lead Currys onto the parade ground? What was it like seeing people who came and marched?

The Manchester Pride Parade, just started out as a dream and a goal. When I was interviewed to get the Co-Chair position, I set out some goals I wanted to do within our first year and London or Manchester was always on the cards. The only questions I had not prepared were ‘how to get there?’ and ‘what would Currys marching look like?’

Pre-Interview preparation for the Co-Chair position

For anyone that has ever been and planned to be in a march. Well, it turns out it is not a walk in the park! Different departments from around the business were involved to help organise the event. From figuring out how to get colleagues from Scotland, the south coast of England and from Northern Ireland together, the logistics for merch to be made and transport it to a local store, to the design of t-shirts to name a few. Alongside a lot of praying that everything would go well for us.

Stephen Trying Out the Merch and Commandeering a Colleagues Hotel Room to Store Everything for The Night. Yes, That Is a Sack Truck in The Background (It was returned to the Manchester Store)

We rented out a hotel space to leave our belongings for the parade and set it as our meeting point to get everyone together before travelling to the parade. We planned for someone from the committee to collect the tickets and wristbands and we knew we had stuff to give out like badges and bags. Originally, we planned for the committee to give these out but as soon as we hit the parade route all colleagues sprang into action! Rushing out to people who were watching from the sides and giving out badges and bags. Along the road we had people in the crowds approaching us to asking if we had merch left. Which for a few colleagues came to their surprise, but this was great to see as this proved how loved as a brand Currys are!

In the Hotel Suite

How can I summarize the experience?

Committee Members 2022: (Left to fight) Stephen, Paris, Sarah M, Zoë, Evan and Sarah (Me)

The Pride march was amazing! The feeling of watching other colleagues getting involved and engaging with the crowd (as mentioned before this was not planned). It really was spectacular to be a part of and proud to see how the hard work that everyone put into making this happen. The stress of putting this together and worrying on how this will go, paid off! I work with the best committee members, and the committee has the best people around us. This is something I will cherish and be thankful for. I’m sure I can speak for everyone who marched by saying Manchester Pride Parade will be a memory that will last a lifetime.

After the Parade

I cannot wait to see everyone again at London Pride, 1^st July.