Seven Dials proudly launches an exclusive Pride pop-up shop, which runs until 12th July at 53 Neal Street, in collaboration with the ‘Queen of Shops’, Mary Portas.
The 2019 celebration is particularly significant as the theme – #PrideJubilee – looks back over the last 50 years since the Stonewall Uprising; the night that started a global movement.
On 28th June 1969, members of the LGBT+ community at the Stonewall Inn rose up against continued oppression, triggering a series of events that gave rise to the modern-day Pride
movement. The #PrideJubilee marks 50 years of activism, protests and victories that have made Pride what it is today.
The Pride in London pop-up shop will sell the new range of official Pride in London merchandise including clothing, flags and tote bags representing all communities – as well as
the first ever bisexual and transgender flag face paints. Neal Street is also transformed into a hub of colour with a public work of art installation, a rainbow of curated bollards
celebrating the pride flag and colours.
The one-stop shop for all things Pride, 53 Neal Street will act as a community hub and safe space for all those who want to drop in and find out more about Pride. There will be a
diverse schedule of talks and workshops, and further details on these will be announced through the Pride in London social media channels and on the Pride in London website.
Brian Bickell, Chief Executive of Shaftesbury, says: “We are proud to be a Pride partner and once again donate space for a Pride shop and community hub. This year on Neal Street, Seven Dials is the heart of the West End, the space will be a fantastic addition to the Pride festival, one of London’s largest and most successful events.”
Kieron Yates, Head of Retail and Merchandising at Pride in London, added: “We’re really excited to have such a fantastic space for our pop-up once again, and of course we’re looking
forward to helping kit everyone out for Pride this year – with a great range of clothing, flags, badges and more, for every community. The store also serves as an incredibly important space
for community groups, and we’re working on a fantastic programme of events curated by a wide variety of organisations, meaning there will be something for everyone.”
Mary Portas, Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Portas Agency, added: “Shops aren’t just places for people to buy things anymore, they’re spaces where people come together to connect. Yes, you can buy a bit of Pride merchandise from our shop, but really, it’s about having a little space that Pride in London owns to connect with our community this summer. This year the Pride in London popup is the embodiment of Pride. It’s inclusive, it’s relevant and a bit bloody camp.”
The Pride in London pop-up shop will coincide with the one-day free event, FESTIVAL 30, being held by Seven Dials to mark the 30th anniversary of the iconic landmark Sundial Pillar.
The celebration will take place on Saturday 29th June, 11am – 6pm across the seven interconnecting streets, with traffic free street, live entertainment, music, food, theatre, arts
and crafts and more.
Pride in London takes place in the capital on Saturday 6th July. For more information,visit prideinlondon.org.
