Southside Shopping Centre will be transformed into a hub for both aspiring entrepreneurs and local musical talent as it hosts the Young Enterprise Trade Fair and the ‘Sing to Thrive’ pop-up this weekend.
On Saturday 14th March from 9am - 4pm, Southside will host a marketplace for Young Enterprise students from across London. As part of the Young Enterprise Company Programme, students aged 15 - 18 will be selling products they have developed themselves, ranging from sustainable fashion and handmade gifts to eco-friendly goods, providing them with experience trading in real-time and encouraging the students to have practical experience in areas including market research, branding, and sales.
On Sunday 15th March between 1pm - 4pm, visitors to the centre will be treated to a series of performances from a diverse line-up of local talent including Some Voices Choir, Dover House Singers and National Opera Studio Alumni. The event, in partnership with Wandsworth Council, is part of the wider Sing to Thrive initiative, which highlights the health and social benefits of group singing, promoting community connection and mental wellbeing through music. The performances taking place on the day are as follows: -
1pm – Some Voices Choir (Clapham): A non-audition contemporary choir that believes singing is for everyone.
1:45pm – Dover House Singers: A community choir from Putney performing everything from pop and folk to classical and stage musicals.
2:30pm – National Opera Studio Alumni: World-class opera singers accompanied by an expert pianist, bringing a touch of classical grandeur to the shopping centre.
3:15pm – Flamenco Choir: An evocative performance blending choral singing with the rhythmic intensity of a live flamenco guitarist.
Shannon Reed, Centre Director at Southside, commented: ”Being at the heart of Wandsworth, we’re committed to supporting the next generation by creating opportunities and providing a platform where young people, entrepreneurs and creative can grow, develop and truly flourish.
“From championing the area’s emerging business leaders to bringing people together through the joy of group singing, we’re proud to be a space where community and creativity come together –and look forward to seeing the shopping centre come alive this weekend.”
Sing to Thrive is a flagship project for Wandsworth in its year as London Borough of Culture, with the council commissioning two new original songs by composers Bernard Hughes and Aga Serugo-Lugo. In Spring 2026, a series of events will take place across the borough that feature existing choirs as well as ‘come and sing’ opportunities for the community. Sing to Thrive will promote the health and social benefits of singing, and provide a range of performance opportunities for choirs.
The news follows the installation of Our Beautiful Neighbourhood at Southside Shopping Centre this month in celebration of Wandsworth’s year as London Borough of Culture. The exhibition is a culmination of a visual arts project engaging more than 1,300 children and over 50 primary, secondary, SEN and healthcare settings across Wandsworth, with the artworks reflecting their connection to nature.
As part of Our Beautiful Neighbourhood, visitors are invited to take part in free drop-in collage workshops this Saturday and Sunday from 11am – 1pm and 2pm – 4pm. These hands-on sessions will offer families and visitors the chance to create their own nature-inspired artworks as part of the exhibition’s community celebrations.
For more information, please visit https://www.southsidewandsworth.com/en
