A SUNDERLAND shopping centre is helping to paint the city in rainbow colours, when a popular LGBT+ festival returns later this month.
The Bridges has revealed it will host a free Bling Bar in the centre’s Central Square for those heading to Sunderland Pride on 29 September.
Festival-goers will be able to get their faces painted with bright colours and glitter designs and the bar will be open from 11:30am to 4:30pm, to give people the opportunity to visit before the march kicks off at 12pm.
And the shopping centre will also take part in the parade this year, with its very own Bridges Pride flag and staff ranging from security to management handing out sweets and mini flags to those along the route.
Starting at Park Lane Village, the march will move up Olive Street and along Mary Street, Vine Place, Fawcett Street and High Street West, before finishing at Sunniside, where there will be live entertainment from 1pm until the event closes at 6pm.
Andy Bradley, centre director at the Bridges, is looking forward to showing his support.
“Sunderland Pride is a fantastic event for the city and we are delighted to be showcasing our very own flag this year,” said Andy.
“The Bridges is committed to being inclusive to the LGBT+ community and we want to let our shoppers know that everyone is welcome at the centre.
“It will be wonderful to see the city’s streets filled with colour and we hope that anyone going to Pride this year will stop off at the Bridges to get a free glitter makeover at the Bling Bar.”
Those heading to Sunderland Pride can enjoy entertainment from a variety of performers, including Lucy Phurr, Miss Rachel Rear, Channy, Pulp Function, Pat Clutcher, Owen Seafield, Aaron Lodge and more.
For more information about the Bridges, visit www.thebridges-shopping.com.
To find out more about Sunderland Pride, visit www.facebook.com/sunderlandpride.