Piano trail adds new market to its map

A walking trail that encourages people to play the piano in different locations across Bradford has added the city's Darley Street Market to its musical map.

The Leeds and Bradford Piano Trail already has three instruments in place across the Bradford district.

They are at The Broadway Shopping Centre in Bradford and The Airedale Shopping Centre and Cliffe Castle Museum, both in Keighley.

Organisers will unveil the latest addition to the trail in the new £32m Darley Street Market, which opened last July, on Saturday.

George Oates, creative learning and engagement assistant at the Leeds International Piano Competition, said: "We are delighted to be welcoming Darley Street Market on to Bradford Piano Trail and are very excited to have a presence at a location so focused on live music."

He encouraged people to have a go at playing the piano as they pass by - regardless of whether they are a professional pianist or playing for the first time.

Bradford-based band Flying Funk will play two 40-minute sets at the launch in the Darley Street Kitchen, which is located on the top floor of the market, from 17:00 GMT.

The Leeds and Bradford Piano Trail is organised by the Leeds Piano Competition.

It aims to turn city and district streets into open stages where anyone of any age or ability can sit down and play.

Dame Fanny Waterman founded what became a world-renowned event in 1963.

The Leeds-born piano player and teacher remained in charge until 2015 and died aged 100 in her residential care home in Ilkley in 2020.

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