Broad Street Mall in Reading celebrated Pride 2026 in style with a special event last weekend.
On Saturday 22nd August, from 11am – 3pm, the centre hosted a day of live music and entertainment for all to enjoy.
In partnership with The Rhoom Studios, the event saw five wonderful local artists taking to the centre’s stage to perform, including Purple Roots, Graham Hornby, Robert Steven Hunt, Country Lee Music and Franssens, with the wonderful MC Paul Metcalfe returning again as host for the day. The theme of this event was ‘inclusivity’, so the stage also provided a platform for artists to talk about the importance of inclusivity to them.
Alongside the main music showcase, visitors could enjoy free Pride-themed face painting and glitter tattoo art throughout the day, and meet the centre’s beloved mascot Topsy, who was on hand to offer hugs, give out sweet treats and spread happiness and joy.
If that wasn’t enough, the centre hosted two competitions on the day; a music bingo quiz hosted by the stage team, with a yummy prize from Broad Street Mall tenant Muffin Break for the winner. Plus, a ‘best-dressed’ competition, in which visitors dressed in their most bold and bright colours could enter for a chance to win one of three amazing prizes from tenants Meet Space VR, Reading Biscuit Factory and Boswells. Muffin Break also offered free samples of their delicious muffins during the day.
This weekend’s event was supported by local partner Every Little Thing Festival, who has been the centre’s lead partner for the Broad Street Beats event series since it began. Founder Sinead Gibson was on hand to offer guidance, support and access to key resources on the day in the suicide prevention and mental health space, as well as asking people, ‘we all carry stories around in our heads around who we are – what story about yourself did you finally stop believing’.
Plus, charities Project Salama and The Jessica Project, who offer support for those affected by domestic abuse and violence were at the event to offer support and access to key resources for the local community.
This Saturday’s Broad Street Beats event offered a chance for the local community to come together to celebrate a national initiative, as well as talk openly about topics that matter, through the power of music and experience. This event series has helped create its own community from the partners involved, many of whom return to each event. It always leaves a sense of empowerment and joy for all those involved.
Steven Connolly, Centre Manager at Broad Street Mall, says: “We are delighted to see how wonderful this weekend’s event was. These events provide a great opportunity for us to connect the local community, both through music and the key topics that are raised.
“It is important that community spaces like Broad Street mall support national initiatives like Pride and the theme of ‘inclusivity’, and the event was beautifully brought together through both the music showcase and all the activities that happened on the day. We encourage people to watch out for details of our next event this coming October.”
For more information on this and future events, visit https://www.broadstreetmall.com/.
