People gathered to enjoy a Maloneys Reunion in Southport on Friday (30th October 2026).
The event at the iconic bar, inside The Scarisbrick Hotel on Lord Street, was organised by Claire Kelly.
DJ Jon Taylor provided 80s and 90s tunes throughout the evening.
The event saw £800 raised for Queenscourt Hospice.
Claire Kelly said: “Southport certainly knows how to party, as Maloney’s Reunion brought a packed venue, a buzzing atmosphere and plenty of 80s and 90s nostalgia back to the town – while raising £800 for Queenscourt Hospice.
“The reunion night saw a fantastic turnout, with people arriving throughout the evening to catch up with old friends, enjoy some classic tunes and make the most of a proper night out.
“Before long, the dance floor was full, the music was playing and the atmosphere was reminiscent of Maloneys in its heyday.
“With Jon Taylor on the decks, guests were treated to a brilliant selection of 80s and 90s favourites, with plenty of dancing and singing along. Many embraced the theme with some fantastic outfits from the era.
“As the evening progressed, the entertainment continued with karaoke, giving guests the opportunity to take to the microphone themselves. The celebrations carried on until 2am, with the enthusiasm showing no signs of fading.
“There was also a special raffle, featuring a large boxed bottle of Gordon’s gin generously donated by the Lees family. The lucky winner was Southport Town Crier Kevin Ruane MBE.”
Behind the scenes, it was a real team effort. Claire Kelly was on the door throughout the evening, supported by her friends Daisy O’Connor and Rich O’Connor on the second entrance. Laura Calgar helped with the raffle, with Pia also lending a hand.
But alongside the reunion and all the fun, there was an important reason for bringing everyone together.
Claire Kelly said: “A fantastic £800 was raised for Queenscourt Hospice, through the JustGiving charity fundraising page, cash donations and the raffle. A QR code was displayed at the entrance, allowing guests to donate directly to the hospice as they arrived.
“The idea for the reunion actually came about during a visit to Maloney’s, when I noticed how quiet the venue had become compared with the busy nights it was once known for.
“After suggesting to my friend Gail that we should organise a reunion, I approached Britannia Hotels with the idea of bringing people back together for a night of music and memories, while also raising money for charity.”
With the plans agreed, Claire took on the organisation, from designing the posters and selling tickets to arranging the music with Jon Taylor and working with the venue on a special cocktail list and happy hour offer.
For Claire, seeing people enjoying themselves was just as rewarding as the fundraising.
She said: “Although I spent much of the evening welcoming guests on the door rather than enjoying the dance floor herself, I was delighted to see the venue packed and the response so positive.
“The £800 raised brings my overall fundraising total to approximately £3,000, adding another fantastic contribution towards supporting Queenscourt Hospice and the vital work it does for local families.
“The evening was a wonderful reminder that people still love a good night out. There was no shortage of enthusiasm for the music, the dancing or the chance to catch up with familiar faces.
“If Maloney’s Reunion proved anything, it’s that going out is certainly not dead. Give Southport a great venue, a brilliant DJ and a soundtrack of 80s and 90s classics, and the dance floor will take care of itself!
“A huge thank you to everyone who attended, donated, bought raffle tickets and helped make the evening such a success.
“£800 for Queenscourt, a packed dance floor and memories of a brilliant night. What a reunion!”
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