Rainbow road to be given 'glow up' for Pride

The colourful markings in Hockley will be repainted ahead of Notts Pride

A rainbow road in Nottingham is to get a refresh - and a host of new colours - ahead of the city's Pride celebrations.

The series of rainbow "crossings" on Carlton Street and Broad Street in Hockley will be repainted ahead of the event on 27 July.

The colourful features were first created in 2019, but the paintwork has since become faded and marked.

At a Nottingham City Council meeting on 8 July, councillors were informed the rainbow road would be rejuvenated.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Councillor Coral Jenkins told the meeting: “I can confirm the rainbow road will be refreshed."

'Beating heart'

The colourful transformation is being carried out by the city's business improvement district (BID) It's in Nottingham.

The repainted rainbows will feature five new colours: black and brown to represent people of colour, plus light blue, light pink and white to represent the transgender community.

The project has received £4,950 from the government's UK Shared Prosperity Fund and is supported by the city council.

Alex Flint, chief executive for It's in Nottingham, said: "This initiative aligns perfectly with our mission to foster an inclusive and vibrant community."

Sam Harvey from the Nottingham Pastel Project - a new grassroots group set up to make the city safe for trans people - added his support.

He said: "Broad Street represents the beating heart of the Nottingham queer community.

"Nothing helps to symbolise that sense of community more than our flags, and we welcome seeing these iconic flags getting a glow up!”

The 2024 Notts Pride event on 27 July will begin with a march at 11:00 BST from the junction of Lister Gate and Castle Gate, through the city centre, to a market and stage in Sneinton Lanes and Sneinton Market.

A programme of entertainment is planned including RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs the World season two winner Tia Kofi and Dolly Parton tribute Kelly O’Brien.

The event has been held since 1997 and typically attracts more than 7,000 LGBTQ-plus people and allies.

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