A brand-new LGBT+ space for all has opened in a popular Sunderland city centre hot spot, bringing a 'safe space' for all to enjoy a light bite to eat, casual drinks and a handful of family-friendly activities.
The Rainbow Hub opened its doors to the general public on Monday, July 12, in Sunniside - now occupying the old Thai Bay restaurant.
Thanks to funding from the National Community Lottery Fund - executives at the Sunderland LGBT+ Network - who organise the annual pride events - have been able to create a permanent space for anyone and everyone to enjoy, no matter their background, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation.
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Serving food and drinks from 10am-2pm Monday to Friday, those behind the project hope that people will be encouraged to meet up, have a chat, make friends and join in with wondrous activities. It comes after the coronavirus pandemic promoted social isolation and loneliness while the country sat in lockdown.
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Anthony Pullen, who works as the manager and chef at the Rainbow Hub, says that it's been a flying start for the café - with many visiting on opening day. Speaking to ChronicleLive, he said: "The first day was really good, but then it's been a little bit slower. But it's just about getting the word out there and letting people know that we are here.
"It is in Sunniside which is a little bit out the way for some people, but it's up and coming, it's a beautiful little area and there's quite a few nice little places round here."
He added: "We've got the old Thai Bay restaurant in Sunderland and we've just come in and transformed the building. We've built a big wall to make a training room and we've had quite a lot going on at the minute. There's quite few different projects happening inside the building.
"We've got a café and bar on one side, we also do support groups and advice and stuff up the top side."
Alcoholic beverages will also be served from 11am as per licensing mandates, meaning the café and bar will be a nice place to meet up with pals and share a couple of social drinks. Food starts from light bites to daily specials, and the hub caters for everybody's needs no matter their dietary requirements.
Anthony also states that this project is the first and only LGBT+ café across the entirety of Sunderland - making way for hopefully more similar businesses to set up shop.
He continued: "We're the first and the only [LGBT+ café] in Sunderland. I think it's a safe space - it doesn't matter who or what you are.
"When you come here you're going to be made feel comfortable and safe. It's a place that everybody can enjoy, it's not just a place for the LGBT+ community - it's for anybody.
"Anybody can come in and it's a great place to be."
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