SHOPPERS were serenaded by the SingMe Merseyside Choir as they enjoyed visits to Wayfarers Arcade on Lord Street in Southport on:- Saturday, 12 September 2026.
The choir was led by Billy Hui BEM, the choirmaster and the Deputy Lieutenant of Merseyside, who performed on the Community Piano which has been kindly donated to the arcade by Claire Kelly, who runs Southport Piano Academy.
Around 70 singers and musicians treated families to a selection of songs from classics, to musicals, to pop favourites, as they raised funds for Queenscourt Hospice.
They made the historic arcade come alive with singing and songs on the Yamaha Baby Grand piano working perfectly with the acoustics of the stunning Wayfarers Arcade, which has been welcoming visitors since it opened 128 years ago, in 1898.
Posting on Stand Up For Southport, Donna Cumia Coller-James said:- “This is amazing indeed. We are so lucky to have such a beautiful arcade in our town where we can listen to such wonderful music. It's like a piece of living history and takes us back to how it must have been when it was 1st built and was filled by people enjoying the music all those years ago. Such a wonderful tradition. We are so lucky to have Claire Kelly, the face and ambassador for musical talent in Southport. She donated this amazing piano to the arcade for the benefit of the visitors to Southport and for the benefit of those who play and perform here. This is very close to my heart as my young daughter has been invited to play the piano here and what an honour to be asked.”
Wayfarers Shopping Arcade is a striking Grade II listed structure located on the town’s Famous boulevard, Lord Street – and is 1 of the North West’s most celebrated shopping arcades.