'This will put us on the map... I'm so proud'

RAINBOW QUARTER TO BE CREATED

- By GEORGE PALMER-SOADY

HOCKLEY is set to become officially recognised as an LGBTQ+ district in a move described as a “powerful statement of who we are and what we stand for” as a city.

Streets around Hockley will make up the newly-formed Rainbow Quarter area, in a style similar to the Gay Villages in Manchester and Birmingham.

The bustling area is already known as an important part of the city for LGBTQ+ people, having a high density of gay-friendly bars and venues and a proud history of gay activism dating back to the 1990s.

But campaigners, business experts and politicians say the area officially being known as the Rainbow Quarter will bring new visitors and investment into Nottingham and put the city “up there with the greats” of gay-friendly areas in the UK such as Brighton.

The area will cover Broad Street, Carlton Street, and Heathcote Street around Hockley and the project will officially be announced today at the annual Notts Pride event.

The initial proposals will be outlined by Sam Harvey, director of The Pastel Project charity, which is spearheading the scheme with the backing of It’s In Nottingham and other local organisations.

“The area is unofficially known as Nottingham’s queer district anyway, but this will officially recognise that,” Sam told The Post ahead of the announcement.