Swindon & Wiltshire Pride celebrate a successful return to the Brunel Centre.

The LGBTQ+ charity first opened the popular pop-up shop on 31st October before having to close its doors due to the second Lockdown. On reopening, the shop - complete with a giant rainbow window display - saw over 1700 visitor's come through the doors.

Phoenix Stewart, Community Engagement Manager, said "We wanted the rainbow window to be the first thing visitors to the Brunel Shopping Centre saw, a proud visible sign and a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community.”

The shop provided free sanitary products and condoms, as well as sexual health information and local support groups. In addition, the charity sold a range of merchandise, many items featuring the familiar Pride rainbow colours. All of the Profits made from the shop will go towards Swindon & Wiltshire Pride 2021 which is sponsored by Nationwide Building Society.

Phoenix continued, ”We’ve had over 1700 visitors to the shop, gave out over 100 free sanitary products and helped raise over £3000 towards Pride, which helps us keep it a free event. Parents have come in asking for advice and support, young people looking for acceptance and understanding and people curious about their identity. Visibility and awareness is important, our role as a charity is to help educate, celebrate and raise awareness and we are confident we have achieved this with."

Jo Sharpe, Chairperson, added "We'd like to thank everyone who donated items to help us run the space, to the customers who came and visited us, along with the Brunel Shopping Centre for their support with the unit. Without all of this it would not have been possible. The importance of space for the wider community during this time has been paramount, and the feedback received has been incredibly positive and humbling”.