FOLLOWING on from supporting Warrington Pride, Nice ‘n’ Naughty took to the streets to celebrate Chester Pride.
This Pride, the 11th anniversary in Chester, kicked off with a colourful and vibrant parade from Castle Square, with representatives from all aspects of the LGBTQIA+ community, showing that Pride has at its core a protest for the rights of this community to be recognised and respected, as well as celebrated and seen.
The day preceded with a party at Castle Square, with performances, runways, dancing, and designated spaces for all ages, including a space for those over a certain age, as well as the under 25s. The park was filled with so many people, who were all there to enjoy a day of celebration, music and entertainment, with many artists and performers giving their time freely. There was an atmosphere of love all around that filled the city with an incredible feeling of joy.
If you ventured into the Glitter Lounge, the area reserved for 18+, you would have found not only fabulous burlesque performers, flaunting their body-positive art form on stage, but also the Boutique by Nice ‘n’ Naughty stall, featuring a Blind Tombola, with all funds raised going to Chester Pride.
Nice ‘n’ Naughty was grateful to be invited into the Glitter Lounge this year to host a stall and fundraise with a Blind Tombola. Earlier in the month, with Blind Tombola in hand, they attended the Queens In Concert evening fundraiser, and a total of £380 was raised between these two events for Chester Pride. But Nice ‘n’ Naughty, under the directorship of Trish Murray, has rounded this figure up to £500, which will be donated to Chester Pride as a foundation for next year’s fabulous event.
“Nice ‘n’ Naughty has always been a supporter of diversity, with the whole team being members of the LGBTQIA+ community and we are proud to be directly involved with and supporting Chester Pride as this has always been very important to me,” said Trish. “Boutique by Nice ‘n’ Naughty has been at 127-129 Brook Street in Chester since 1999 and was our first shop. Over these 24 years, we have strived to provide a safe space for this wonderful city, and to be able to support Chester Pride, not just this year, but for years to come, is important to both myself and the whole team at Nice ‘n’ Naughty. Next year we will not only be supporting the pride event, we will also be joining in with the parade, showing our support to all. We may even get our own in-house drag queen in the parade, that is if we can persuade her out of retirement!” added Trish.
Warren Lee Allmark, Chester Pride Chair added: “Chester Pride is pleased to be working with Nice N Naughty once again, we have always championed local business which is key to the city’s continuing growth. Trish and the team have been fantastic with their support and have raised us £500 towards next year’s event. Thanks to their efforts and Trish adding to this total raised, we’re excited to see what comes next from this partnership.”
Boutique by Nice ‘n’ Naughty in Warrington was a proud supporter of Warrington Pride 2023, the first one for several years in the town, showing support for the community in this wonderful town. Trish hopes, with her continued support of both Chester and Warrington Prides, they will grow and flourish each and every year, providing a beacon for the Cheshire and surrounding LGBTQIA+ community.
So, as we look to the future with Chester’s 12th, Nice ‘n’ Naughty who were not only a firm supporter of this year’s pride, but will remain a proud supporter of next year’s, as well as a constant advocate of the LGBTQIA+ community of Chester and Cheshire.
