Developer Barratt London has switched on a rainbow-themed light installation at its New Mill Quarter development in Hackbridge, south-east London, in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community in the capital.

The streets of London should have been alive in the coming days with vibrant celebrations marking Pride Week in London, including the famous, colourful parade, but ongoing concerns about Covid have sadly put a stop to planned events. Barratt London, however, decided to continue to mark the occasion with a thoroughly Covid-safe display of multi-coloured lights, put together by London lighting, audio and video solutions specialist White Light.

Strung through the centre of Barratt London’s flagship development in Hackbridge, the installation is a reminder of the importance of the LGBTQ+ community in creating a thriving city. In fact, a recent report revealed that cities which are inclusive to all are more competitive and economically resilient1. The Open For Business City Ratings gave London a Global Beacon AAA rating as being one of the top 16 cities in the world setting an example for being both inclusive and financially thriving.

Pam Reardon, Sales Director at Barratt East London, said: “One of London’s greatest strengths is that it is a wonderfully diverse city, so we didn’t want to let Pride in London go unmarked. This display is a safe and enjoyable way to say that everyone is welcome in our community.”

The London Borough of Sutton, which is home to New Mill Quarter, is a naturally diverse and thriving area, with a BAME population of more than a quarter, and a lively LGBTQ+ presence – the council has taken its own steps to recognise this with both a permanent rainbow pedestrian crossing and a newly installed crossing painted in the colours of the transgender flag.

Barratt London’s New Mill Quarter forms a key part of the continued investment into the local area, and will eventually be home to 440 new homes, ranging from one-bedroom apartments to four-bedroom houses, as well as a Lidl supermarket, primary school, GP surgery, landscaped gardens and a children’s playground. Homes at the latest phase, Voile Court, start from £334,995.