Pride Shop damaged three weeks after opening

The new Salisbury Pride Shop which opened on Fisherton Street on the 4th of June 2022 has been damaged just three weeks after opening.

The local charity is appealing for witnesses who may have been on Fisherton Street, Salisbury, yesterday (26th June 2022) between 3pm-5pm and might know how the Salisbury Pride Shop window was smashed.

A spokesperson for Wiltshire Police said, “An unknown object was thrown at the window causing damage worth over £200.

“Enquiries are currently ongoing. Anyone with information should call 101 and quote crime reference number 54220066557.”

Damage to the shop comes just three weeks after it opened. The space was donated to Salisbury Pride by Molly Cook, owner of the Hair Extension Cave, after she moved into a larger building on Silver Street in April.

Cllr Caroline Corbin, one of the organisers of Salisbury Pride, said, “Why has this happened? I know many of the shops around the City are being hit in similar ways, however, if this is indeed a hate crime, it endorses the need for a presence in Salisbury for the LGBT+ community to know we won’t give up.

“It wasn’t what I expected on a Sunday afternoon in broad daylight. We are a charity and Molly Cook, from The Hair Extension Cave, has sponsored us by allowing use of the shop. Now we have to use funds for window repair and that means a big hit even if through insurance. We are less than a week from the main event and our focus needs to be there.

“If any glaziers wish to help advise quote we would be very grateful. Donations can be made through our website.”

To find out more about Salisbury Pride and the upcoming Salisbury Pride festival, click here.

To report any information regarding the damage to the shop call Wiltshire Police on 101 and quote crime reference number 54220066557.