Leicester salon owners 'devastated' after Progress Pride flag torn down in suspected hate crime
– 2 min read
The co-owners of a Leicester salon say they "feel targeted" after their Progress Pride flag was ripped down in what police are treating as a hate crime.
George Waterfield and Darren Cunningham, who run The Secret Garden on Avenue Road Extension, were left "devastated" after CCTV footage captured a masked individual tearing down the flag on Sunday afternoon.
The incident marks the second time in three weeks that the salon has been targeted. Last month, a pole displaying a Trans Pride flag outside the premises was damaged. Leicestershire Police have confirmed they are investigating both incidents as hate crimes.
Mr Waterfield said they were first alerted to the latest act of vandalism by a passer-by who shared photos on social media of someone climbing the building. Upon reviewing their CCTV footage, the pair saw a person dressed in black and wearing a balaclava approach the salon on a bicycle before removing the flag and leaving behind an empty pole.
“It is purely, 100% targeted,” said Mr Waterfield. “As an openly gay man myself, it really hits home. I think it's really scary. I'm a very confident person, and for me to say that I'm really scared by that - it's just heartbreaking that it still happens in 2025.”
Describing the incident as “petrifying”, he added: “I can't actually get over it. I don't understand what the motive is behind it.”
The Secret Garden, which opened in 2019, was founded with the aim of creating a safe and inclusive space for all. The salon operates on a gender-neutral pricing model, charging clients based on the haircut rather than their gender.
“When we first launched that we were going gender neutral with the salon, it absolutely went viral,” Mr Waterfield explained. “It got so much uproar - to be honest, way more good than bad. We’re here to normalise it.”
He emphasised that the salon is open to everyone, regardless of gender identity or sexuality. “People see the LGBTQ flag or the trans flag and assume we’re a ‘gay salon’ - but that’s not the case. We’re open to everybody. We don’t ask what your sexuality is. We will charge you by the haircut, not the gender.”
Despite the recent attacks, the pair remain defiant. Mr Cunningham confirmed they have already ordered a replacement flag.
“We are not intimidated by this,” he said. “It’s the second time it’s happened in three weeks now - and we’re just going to keep putting the flag up. As soon as the new one arrives, we’ll fly it as proudly as possible.”
A spokesperson for Leicestershire Police said: “The reports are being investigated as a hate crime. We take these incidents extremely seriously and are in the process of investigating.”
