Restaurant and coffee shops across Kingston are preparing for Valentine’s Day but 14 February is not the only day when love is in the air.
For businesses the Courier spoke to, romance is the flavour of the month this February.
Businesses in Kingston are treating the day less as a one-night rush and more as part of a wider seasonal strategy. The chain Prezzo Italian is encouraging customers to book early. They are promoting themed group dining to celebrate “Galentine’s Day”, reflecting a shift towards appealing to friendship groups as well as couples.
Naddy Onions, marketing director of Prezzo Italian, said the growing scale of the occasion is noticeable. “We’re seeing Valentine’s Day getting bigger and bigger, but so are days like Galentine’s Day,” they said, pointing to the changing patterns in how people choose to celebrate.
Pizza chain Franco Manca is also approaching Valentine’s Day in a similar fashion. Bookings have opened ahead of the day, with offers running throughout the week.
David Tester, head of marketing, highlighted both the commercial and personal significance of the event. “Valentine’s is a great calendar moment for hospitality and at Franco Manca we love to help people make memories. For us it’s not just a day, we celebrate for a week,” he said.
Smaller venues are changing in accrodance with customer demand. Umar Elahi, owner of the coffee shop Simple Pleasures, said the occasion provides a lift after the quiet season.
“It’s a great opportunity for us, especially after the quiet winter season, Valentine’s Day really helps boost sales and profit,” he said. “Being located near Kingston University, we see a lot of young couples coming by, so it creates a nice atmosphere in the coffee shop.”
