Rainbows have appeared over Hamilton in the run-up to Bermuda’s first gay Pride parade.

Front Street fixtures including Butterfield Bank and Flanagan’s Irish Pub have used rainbow colours to mark the parade, which takes place on August 31.

Chris Garland, managing director at Harbourside Holdings Ltd, which owns Flanagan’s, said the company wanted to show its support for the parade.

He added: “We support every event that comes through Hamilton. It has always been that way with decorations being put up for Christmas, for Thanksgiving, Easter. Everything.

“We decorate and we make a big deal about everything.

“It makes every bit of common sense for the company to do this. It’s about people and it’s something this country is lacking in.”

Mr Garland said the flags and decorations were put up on Tuesday and that the bar had not suffered a backlash from customers.

He said: “I haven’t heard anything yet, no negativity. No news is good news.”

The restaurant’s Front Street neighbour, Butterfield Bank, has also decorated its balcony with rainbow decorations.

The company announced last month that it would sponsor the parade.

Michael Neff, the bank’s managing director said at the time: “Bermuda’s first Pride celebration will be an important milestone in our country’s history.

“It is both an opportunity to celebrate diversity within our community and Bermuda’s progress to date in creating a more equal and inclusive society.

“But it is also a reminder that, as a community, we have more work to do to ensure that everyone in Bermuda has access to the same freedoms, and the opportunity to live their lives free of discrimination.”

Real estate agents Rego Sotheby’s International Realty has also adorned its balcony with rainbow flags.

And two rainbow flags have joined the national flags of Bermuda, Jamaica, Canada and the US outside Bermuda Bistro at the Beach, also on Front Street.

A rainbow mural has also been painted on the fence around the now-demolished Canadian Hotel at the nearby junction of Reid Street and Court Street.