A NEW vegan deli and non-binary clothing shop set to open in the city centre has changed its location ahead of its opening.
Flo was due to open on Friar Street but will now be relocating to The Tything – though no reason has been given for the change of location.
The new store is set to be a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community offering a range of vegan food as well as clothing.
Owner Rie Vockins, 35, named the new store after their grandmother who was called Florence and said the store has come as a ‘phoenix from the flames’ after a difficult three years.
Flo will offer customers sustainable and non-binary clothes to choose from alongside a vegan deli bar serving artisan vegan cheese and wine.
Originally the new store was set to open on Friar Street towards the end of May or June.
However, it has now put up signs on the windows of an empty shop on The Tything.
Mx Vockins said: “I do think Worcester’s queer community has expanded through the university and more students coming to the area.
“The concept came through after a really tough time, I attempted suicide this time last year.
“I found out I was autistic and I had what they call autism burnout, which led to my suicide attempt.
“The shop is a phoenix from the flames after going through such a tough time for three years.
READ MORE: Friar Street is set to become the home of new vegan and queer space
“If you’ve had a bad day, you can come here and just pop in and say hi.
“It’s a safe place for everyone.
“It has so much meaning behind it. It’s hard to explain it but the store gave me purpose again.”
Mx Vockins said they wanted to offer non-binary clothing because it has always had a huge impact in their life.
They said: “Gender is a huge thing for me and it’s something that I’ve been battling with for years and at the same time I figured out I was non-binary and autistic.
“We need more spaces where gender isn’t a factor. Why can’t a man wear a skirt, they look great in skirts.”