About 300 people attended a Valentine’s-themed live music event at Broad Street Mall last week.
The “Broad Street Beats” event took place from 11:00 to 15:00 on Saturday, filling the shopping centre with performances from local musicians.
Acts curated by The Rhoom Studios included Gayna and Joe, Dimitri, Robert Steven Hunt, Rose Elwood, The Blagabond, Tommy Eric, The Sepia Tone Folk Collective and Graham Hornby.
Organisers said the Valentine’s edition aimed to celebrate love, music and community spirit.
Highlights included a live mariachi band performance and a red-and-pink dress-up competition, with prizes donated by local businesses including Greggs and Reading Biscuit Factory. Free treats were also provided by retailers at the mall.
The centre’s mascot, Topsy, handed out sweets and posed for photographs with visitors.
The event also featured a number of community groups. The Jessica Project offered guidance to survivors of sexual violence and domestic abuse, while Together UK provided information about mental health support.
Representatives from the Every Little Thing Festival, created in memory of Diva to promote mental health awareness and suicide prevention, also attended to share information about their work.
Steven Connolly, centre manager at Broad Street Mall, said it was “amazing to see so many people come together to celebrate love, music and community”.
He said the Broad Street Beats series would continue throughout the year, offering free, family-friendly entertainment in the town centre.
