THE managing director of a Winchester café and bar is calling on fellow businesses and producers to help him revive three popular events.
Gary Whiter, of Cabinet Rooms in Jewry Street, is hoping to relaunch Hampshire Pride as Winchester Pride as well as bringing back Ginchester and Winchester Cocktail Week.
The plan is to move Ginchester, which launched in 2017, to Winchester Guildhall, in The Broadway, this year for a date in November while the Christmas market is on.
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Mr Whiter said: “Any local producers wanting to get involved can get in touch. It’s a great alternative from the Christmas market for smaller producers and it’s always been really good fun.
“There’s so much more going on than just gin now in Winchester. We’re almost looking to relaunch Ginchester. It’s going to be a real festival of the best bits about Winchester.”
Cocktail week has been earmarked for the first week of June this year. While still in the planning stages, Mr Whiter is urging local businesses who want to get involved to get in touch.
Those who bought a ticket for 2020, which was cancelled due to the pandemic, will be allowed to use it for the event’s return this year.
More than 20 venues took part previously, with discounted drinks and entertainment. This year, Mr Whiter is hoping to have 15 to 20 bars involved.
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He said: “The next step is to engage with local bars and restaurants. People book online and then they come to us and get a wristband for all the venues to get them a reduced price on cocktails. Every venue will have a signature cocktail for the week. It’s a great way of trying new drinks and discovering new places.
“Lots of places will have events too with different drinks and brands running workshops. In 2019 Bacardi had a bartender teaching us how to make daquiris. It’s a great one for people who are really excited by drinks.
“The hospitality industry has taken a real hit recently so we’re hoping this will be a good way to boost customers and the community we have.”
Cocktail Week was launched in 2016 but stopped due to the lockdown, similarly, Hampshire Pride hasn’t been held in Winchester post-pandemic.
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Mr Whiter said: “The Hampshire Pride committee has decided to relaunch Hampshire Pride as Winchester Pride. When Hampshire Pride started there wasn’t another event in the area. The idea was that it would give LGBTQ+ people one day every year when they could have a sense of community.
“We’re going to refocus our efforts in Winchester so hopefully we can get more local people involved and make it a success again. It’s really important, it’s all about community, supporting people and promoting equality, inclusivity, representation and respecting people’s identities.
“We’re looking to build the committee back up with three key roles including a treasurer. If we can build up a team dedicated to bringing pride back we are more likely to do it.
“Pride is just a big celebration of acceptance, inclusivity and diversity. There’s always an opportunity to do more for the community.
“I’m really excited and a little bit nervous as well. It is a huge amount of work but we have had so much feedback saying these events have really been missed since the pandemic.”
With lots of work needed to re-launch Hampshire Pride, the celebratory event may not return until next year.
To get involved with any of the events contact events@cabinetrooms.com.
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