Nottinghamshire Pride will return 'bigger and better' this summer with a new location and parade route

Nottinghamshire Pride is set to return “bigger and better than ever” this summer, with a new march route and end location. 

This year’s year’s event on Saturday, July 27, will end at the Sneinton Market area, where thousands of people will arrive having marched from the M&S store at the junction of Lister Gate and Castle Gate. 

The march will begin at 11am and take participants through the city centre to Sneinton Market, which will play host to a Pride Stage and a selection of stalls. 

The new location is particularly poignant for the LGBTQ+ community, with the area and neighbouring Victoria Leisure Centre known as a historic site of mass protest and activism.

In 1986, the area and neighbouring Victoria Leisure Centre was a site of mass protest and activism following fierce opposition from some locals surrounding the decision for the leisure centre to offer ‘gay-only swimming sessions’ at the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Leigh Ellis, chair at Nottinghamshire Pride said: “Hockley will always be our home, and we’re grateful to the residents and businesses in that area who have supported us every year by creating an inclusive and safe space for our community and its supporters to celebrate. 

“It’s incredible to see how much the event’s popularity has grown year on year, but as a result, this year we’ve made the decision to update the march’s route, with a brand new end point in Sneinton Market. 

“The new location will help immensely in ensuring we are able to keep all attendees safe, while also improving accessibility and the experience for the younger members of the community who want to join in the celebrations on the day.”

Since its launch in 1997, Nottinghamshire Pride has been a solely non-profit event, relying on volunteers who give up their time each year to support by collecting donations, offering stewardship, general event support and more. 

For further details about this year’s Nottinghamshire Pride event, press here.