Blayds Bar and sponsor PJ Staffing invite the community to stand together and celebrate freely this weekend at Leeds Pride.
As Yorkshire prepares to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Leeds Pride this weekend, two local business owners are urging people across the city to come together, show their support and demonstrate that intolerance will not divide the LGBTQ+ community.
Paul McCallum, Managing Director of Leeds-based recruitment agency PJ Staffing, which is sponsoring the Blayds Bar Stage, and his husband Duncan McCallum, owner of Blayds Bar, say this year’s event carries particular significance amid growing concern about the removal of Pride flags, the withdrawal of council support and the cancellation or restriction of Pride celebrations in some parts of the UK.
Leeds Pride will take place on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 July, marking 20 years since the city’s first official Pride celebration in 2006. By comparison to other areas which are shutting down Pride celebrations, Leeds’ events will even feature a visit to Blayds by Lord Mayor Stephen Holroyd on Sunday to officially open their stage at 4pm.
Blayds Bar, situated in the heart of Leeds’ LGBTQ+ community, will host the free Blayds Stage on Saturday and Sunday. No tickets or Leeds Pride wristbands are required to attend, ensuring that everyone can join the celebration regardless of their circumstances.
Paul McCallum, Managing Director of Leeds-based recruitment agency PJ Staffing, which is sponsoring the Blayds Bar Stage, and his husband Duncan McCallum, owner of Blayds Bar, say this year’s event carries particular significance amid growing concern about the removal of Pride flags, the withdrawal of council support and the cancellation or restriction of Pride celebrations in some parts of the UK.
Leeds Pride will take place on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 July, marking 20 years since the city’s first official Pride celebration in 2006. By comparison to other areas which are shutting down Pride celebrations, Leeds’ events will even feature a visit to Blayds by Lord Mayor Stephen Holroyd on Sunday to officially open their stage at 4pm.
Blayds Bar, situated in the heart of Leeds’ LGBTQ+ community, will host the free Blayds Stage on Saturday and Sunday. No tickets or Leeds Pride wristbands are required to attend, ensuring that everyone can join the celebration regardless of their circumstances.
Paul and Duncan McCallum
Paul McCallum said: “Pride has always been a celebration, but it is also an act of visibility, solidarity and courage. At a time when Pride flags are being removed and some communities are seeing their events restricted, defunded or cancelled, celebrating 20 years of Leeds Pride feels more important than ever.
We cannot allow intolerance to make people feel they should become quieter, less visible or less proud of who they are. This weekend is an opportunity for our community, our allies and the wider city of Leeds to rally around one another and show that everyone deserves to feel safe, valued and welcome.
PJ Staffing is incredibly proud to sponsor Blayds Bar. Supporting Pride is not simply about placing a logo on an event. It is about standing behind the people who work for us, work with us and live in the communities we serve.”
Leeds Pride has grown considerably since its first event, becoming one of the UK’s largest free Pride celebrations and bringing residents, visitors, businesses, performers and community organisations together in the city centre.
The many sponsors, supporters and venues in addition to Blayds and PJ Staffing include Jet2, Starbucks, First Direct Bank, Hotel Indigo, Viaduct Bar and much more.
For Duncan McCallum, providing an accessible, safe and welcoming place for people to celebrate is particularly important. Duncan said: “Blayds Bar has always been about community. We want everyone to know that they can come along to the Blayds Stage, enjoy the entertainment and be part of Pride without needing a ticket or wristband. Pride should not feel exclusive or financially out of reach.
Whether this is your twentieth Leeds Pride or your first, whether you come with a huge group of friends or arrive by yourself, there will be a warm welcome waiting for you. There are people who would like LGBTQ+ communities to become less visible. Our response must be to stand together, look after one another and celebrate even more proudly. Leeds has a strong, diverse and resilient community, and this weekend will show exactly why that matters.”
Recent decisions elsewhere in England have included Pride flag-raising ceremonies being cancelled, restrictions being introduced on flags displayed at civic buildings and funding being withdrawn from some local Pride events.
Paul believes that businesses both local and national have an important role to play in ensuring support for LGBTQ+ people extends beyond Pride weekend.
He added: “Businesses cannot treat Pride as a seasonal marketing opportunity to earn a quick pink pound. Real allyship means creating workplaces where LGBTQ+ employees are respected throughout the year, challenging discrimination when it happens and continuing to support community organisations and events when they come under pressure.
We are proud of how Leeds embraces its LGBTQ+ community, but none of us can afford to become complacent. Progress needs people who are willing to protect it.”
Paul and Duncan are encouraging people from across Yorkshire and the UK to attend, support LGBTQ+ businesses and venues, look out for one another and celebrate the anniversary safely.
The Blayds Stage will be situated outside the main Leeds Pride event site on Sunday 19 July and will be free to access, with no ticket or wristband required.
We cannot allow intolerance to make people feel they should become quieter, less visible or less proud of who they are. This weekend is an opportunity for our community, our allies and the wider city of Leeds to rally around one another and show that everyone deserves to feel safe, valued and welcome.
PJ Staffing is incredibly proud to sponsor Blayds Bar. Supporting Pride is not simply about placing a logo on an event. It is about standing behind the people who work for us, work with us and live in the communities we serve.”
Leeds Pride has grown considerably since its first event, becoming one of the UK’s largest free Pride celebrations and bringing residents, visitors, businesses, performers and community organisations together in the city centre.
The many sponsors, supporters and venues in addition to Blayds and PJ Staffing include Jet2, Starbucks, First Direct Bank, Hotel Indigo, Viaduct Bar and much more.
For Duncan McCallum, providing an accessible, safe and welcoming place for people to celebrate is particularly important. Duncan said: “Blayds Bar has always been about community. We want everyone to know that they can come along to the Blayds Stage, enjoy the entertainment and be part of Pride without needing a ticket or wristband. Pride should not feel exclusive or financially out of reach.
Whether this is your twentieth Leeds Pride or your first, whether you come with a huge group of friends or arrive by yourself, there will be a warm welcome waiting for you. There are people who would like LGBTQ+ communities to become less visible. Our response must be to stand together, look after one another and celebrate even more proudly. Leeds has a strong, diverse and resilient community, and this weekend will show exactly why that matters.”
Recent decisions elsewhere in England have included Pride flag-raising ceremonies being cancelled, restrictions being introduced on flags displayed at civic buildings and funding being withdrawn from some local Pride events.
Paul believes that businesses both local and national have an important role to play in ensuring support for LGBTQ+ people extends beyond Pride weekend.
He added: “Businesses cannot treat Pride as a seasonal marketing opportunity to earn a quick pink pound. Real allyship means creating workplaces where LGBTQ+ employees are respected throughout the year, challenging discrimination when it happens and continuing to support community organisations and events when they come under pressure.
We are proud of how Leeds embraces its LGBTQ+ community, but none of us can afford to become complacent. Progress needs people who are willing to protect it.”
Paul and Duncan are encouraging people from across Yorkshire and the UK to attend, support LGBTQ+ businesses and venues, look out for one another and celebrate the anniversary safely.
The Blayds Stage will be situated outside the main Leeds Pride event site on Sunday 19 July and will be free to access, with no ticket or wristband required.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
About PJ Staffing
PJ Staffing is a Leeds-based recruitment agency supplying vetted hospitality, events, cleaning and support staff to businesses across Yorkshire and the UK.
Led by Managing Director Paul McCallum, the company is committed to building inclusive workplaces, supporting its local community and creating meaningful employment opportunities.
For more information, visit: www.pjstaffing.co.uk
About Blayds Bar
Blayds Bar is an independent LGBTQ+ venue located in Blayds Yard, Leeds. Owned by Duncan McCallum, the bar provides a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space at the heart of the city’s LGBTQ+ community.
Instagram: @blaydsbar
About Leeds Pride
Leeds Pride 2026 takes place on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 July and marks the event’s 20th anniversary. The main Pride celebrations, parade, stalls, family area and entertainment will take place on Sunday.
For further information, visit: www.leedspride.com
Media Enquiries
Danielle Windecker-Hilton
Sycamore Communications
danielle@sycamorecommunications.co.uk
07704763269
Paul McCallum and Duncan McCallum are available for interviews and further comment.
About PJ Staffing
PJ Staffing is a Leeds-based recruitment agency supplying vetted hospitality, events, cleaning and support staff to businesses across Yorkshire and the UK.
Led by Managing Director Paul McCallum, the company is committed to building inclusive workplaces, supporting its local community and creating meaningful employment opportunities.
For more information, visit: www.pjstaffing.co.uk
About Blayds Bar
Blayds Bar is an independent LGBTQ+ venue located in Blayds Yard, Leeds. Owned by Duncan McCallum, the bar provides a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space at the heart of the city’s LGBTQ+ community.
Instagram: @blaydsbar
About Leeds Pride
Leeds Pride 2026 takes place on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 July and marks the event’s 20th anniversary. The main Pride celebrations, parade, stalls, family area and entertainment will take place on Sunday.
For further information, visit: www.leedspride.com
Media Enquiries
Danielle Windecker-Hilton
Sycamore Communications
danielle@sycamorecommunications.co.uk
07704763269
Paul McCallum and Duncan McCallum are available for interviews and further comment.