Love cosies up to Church Street, Twickenham (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Love cosies up to Church Street, Twickenham

9:56am Friday 10th February 2012 in Richmond News By Nazia Dewji

Heart flags have gone up outside Church Street businesses and shops as part of the borough’s Valentine’s Day celebrations.

The street’s promotional campaign, Share the Love, means that love is in the air – flying high, for the very first time in the heart of Twickenham.

Anyone visiting shops, pubs, restaurants and businesses that are sporting the Valentine’s flags, can participate in a competition with a number of great prizes by just filling out a form as they make their purchases.

Winners picked from a lucky draw on Saturday, February 11, will be able to choose from prizes such as dinner for two with champagne, loved-up goodie bags, Valentine cupcakes, jewellery or even two night’s accommodation in Venice.

All participating shops and businesses will also be collecting money to donate to local homelessness charity, the Vineyard Community.

Bruce Lyons, who has been the chairman of the Church Street Association for 10 years, said: “The feedback has been great – people love it. We will definitely be doing it again.

“Valentine’s Day is special and I thought it would be a nice time to bring traders and the community together to raise some money for charity.

“These are community activities for customers and local people. It welcomes them and makes it even more fun to shop in Twickenham.”

The Church Street Association hopes to make the flags a long-term venture for international sports games and other major celebrations.