Salisbury's colourful Pride store is ready to unlock

Monday, 7 June 2021 01:00

The local committee behind this year’s Pride month are ready to open their pop up shop in Salisbury this coming weekend.

The shop in Old George Mall will be open on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th June. It follows a successful weekend in Swindon where over 500 people attended the temporary store to meet new people, enquire about Pride and acquire their distinctive rainbow merchandise.

Community Engagement Officer Phoenix Stewart told Salisbury Radio, “It was really good in Swindon this weekend, we are well established in Swindon so excited to be coming to Salisbury. Hopefully we’ll see people wearing our Pride flags around the city.

“The shop is a great space so that the community can come along, get advice, be themselves and find out more about PrideBuying pride flags and people wearing around town.”

Pride is a month long celebration where the LGBTQ+ community comes together across the world. It is ahead of the planned annual event at Queen Elizabeth Gardens in Salisbury on Saturday 4th September 2021.

The Pride event is now in its 6th year and this year features entertainment from a P!nk tribute, Misty Lee and Spire Samba. More details about the event are on the Salisbury Pride website.

Phoenix added, “We are there to fundraise, but really it’s about ‘starting the conversation’, people are welcome to come in for information. We have lots of leaflets from local support groups and people will be on hand to talk and help educate."

The pop-up shop is organised by Swindon and Wiltshire Pride in conjunction with Salisbury Pride.

“This ‘tour’ is our first venture into Salisbury. We were keen to work with other Pride groups and replicate the success of Swindon, so we spoke with Trowbridge and Salisbury and both said yes.

“The Salisbury Pride committee will be there, they will no doubt be recruiting volunteers – but importantly making Pride accessible to everyone.”

The Pride Pop Up Shop is in Old George Mall this weekend.

Photos of the Pride Pop-Up Shop include Salisbury Pride CEO, Cllr Caroline Corbin and Fundraising Member Jenny Bolwell.

L-R: Caroline Corbin and Jenny Bolwell