A soft start, big shifts and turning five
We began the year a little slower — at least on the outside. Behind the scenes, everything was moving.
Over Christmas, Ella and Les gave the shop a full refresh, painting the space and quite literally setting the tone for the months ahead. It marked the start of us settling in properly and beginning to shape what Downtown Pompey could be in this new chapter. 
This period also saw us working alongside Portsmouth City Council as part of the wider regeneration of Commercial Road. We took part in a photoshoot highlighting the role independent creatives and grassroots organisations play in reimagining the high street. It felt important to be part of that — not just as a tenant, but as a contributor to the future of the city centre.
And of course — we turned five.
We celebrated with partners, collaborators and our community, marking the moment with a birthday gathering (and a custom cake, because anything less would’ve been rude). It was a chance to pause, reflect, and look ahead to what’s next.
As we reopened more regularly, our community team got back to what they do best, connecting. We welcomed new faces, reconnected with familiar ones, and began building a steady rhythm in the space again.
Our pop-up markets became a key p
art of that. We hosted a growing mix of queer and ally makers, including Courtney Cottom, Pigeon Books, Peggy’s Difference and more turning the shop into a platform for local creativity and small businesses.
We also held auditions for our next cohort of Syncettes. A half-day filled with movement, energy and a few nerves led us to an incredible group of performers including one of our future Stairway to the Stars acts. A reminder that when you open the door, people bring magic with them.
Winter was about groundwork quietly building the foundations for everything that fol
lowed.
