Lima's landmark LGBT club turns market for Pride

As the coronavirus pandemic drove Global Pride events on Saturday to the internet, one LGBT club in the Peruvian capital of Lima has reopened - but instead of welcoming revellers it's trying to attract shoppers after repurposing its space to create a grocery store.

The Valetodo Downtown club has already been closed for three months and, like many clubs and bars, must follow government guidelines and remain closed to revellers until the end of July.

But as the general lockdown looks to be eased as of Tuesday, allowing people to frequent essential outlets such as markets, banks and pharmacies, the club decided to rethink its business strategy.

Following in the footsteps of many restaurants, Valetodo Downtown decided to morph into a grocery store.

"Last year during this season, we were wearing wigs and feathers heading to parade at this very hour," said Toño Rodriguez after arranging items on shelves.

"Now it's all virtual." Some of the club workers now arrange foodwares on shelves and call it a means of survival. "We need to reinvent ourselves," said Shamcey La Vie.

Peru now ranks sixth in the world for the largest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases, with over 272,000 sick and 8,939 dead.