Tag: valentines day

Letting Agency Introduce Unique Property Matchmaking Service

By on 16th February 2016in Local Biz

North East based letting agency, My Property Box, has launched its new property matchmaking services for landlords and tenants…

The company’s unique new service aims to help landlords and tenants find their perfect match through its exclusive search criteria and the properties’ lonely heart descriptions.

To celebrate the launch of this exclusive idea, the forward thinking company has pledged to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.

It is the agency’s managing director and property manager, Ben Quaintrell, who came up with the innovative idea, and he is thrilled to be announcing the new, one-of-a-kind concept.

He said: “We want to bring a bit of fun into the industry, because we know how stressful searching for both properties and tenants can be, so we came up with this idea of being property matchmakers.

“Our new matchmaking services effectively make us appear like a dating agency for properties, and whether you are a landlord or a tenant, we want to help you find your perfect match.

“To add to the excitement of the launch, we’ve also decided to donate £10 for every property let in the month of February to the British Heart Foundation, because not only is it a great charity, but the heart theme matches our new services.”

The nation’s heart charity, British Heart Foundation, is the largest independent funder of cardiovascular research.

Assistant manager of the British Heart Foundation’s Darlington branch, Pat Horton, said: “We really appreciate any donations we receive. From money to clothes to furniture, it can all be used to help the British Heart Foundation in some way. Every little helps.

“We are very thankful for the donation My Property Box has pledged to us, because without help from the local community and businesses, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do.”

To add to the launch of the company’s new dating services, the agency has also invested in a new website.

Ben said: “We are a modern agency, and we needed our website to represent this and portray our new services in the best way possible.

“We are the only agency in the region to offer this type of service, and it feels amazing to see the company expanding, and the team and I are excited to see where these new services will take us.”

My Property Box prides itself on being an online agency, and Ben is always looking to the future, thinking about the next steps to take for the business.

He continued: “We currently cater for the whole of the North East, but I want to see us grow into a national company, and our new, unique services will help us achieve this.”

To find out more about the ingenious letting agency or its new services, visit www.mypropertybox.co.uk or follow @MyPropBox on Twitter.

TV’s ‘First Dates’ Host Invites Lonely Valentines Aboard The Love Train

By on 5th February 2016in Lifestyle

Stuck for what to do on Valentine’s day? The Virgin Trains love carriage is set to be a one-of-a-kind speed dating experience…

Virgin Trains is offering passengers a romantic train journey from London King’s Cross to York on the 14th February. This one off event will be hosted by service expert and TV celebrity Fred Sirieix, the charming French General Manager of Galvin at Windows and founder of The Art of Service. Get your love life back on track by booking yourself a ‘single ticket’ and make it a Valentine’s to remember.

This unique experience at 125mph will set your heart racing. Playing cupid, Fred has designed a world-class experience using his service expertise, and will guide passengers on their journey of love up the east coast. Fred is known for his charisma and hospitality, and is the perfect host to get singletons in the mood for love.

As one of the UK’s top rated Maître D’s with plenty of dating experience, Fred will help the lucky singletons find their perfect match on the love carriage. Virgin Trains on-board staff will be given a masterclass in the art of service by Fred to ensure the evening goes off with a bang.

This revolutionary dating experience will see 24 singletons switching seats throughout the journey, meeting potential suiters. The carriages will be decked out with red roses, romantic music and prosecco to set the mood. Sit back, relax and get on board for a chance at finding love.

Tickets will sell out fast, so visit www.virgintrainseastcoast.com/lovecarriage to ensure your love life doesn’t go off the rails. The singles only carriage will leave King’s Cross at 2.52pm, and returns at 7.52pm.

Fred Sirieix commented: “Valentine’s Day should be celebrated by all, and I am over the moon that Virgin Trains has brought me on-board to host the festivities and officiate as the on-board matchmaker. Both happiness and love are within each of us. The thing is we need to go and get it, and we have laid it on especially for you with top service and hospitality in a first class carriage this Valentine’s Day. It’s here for the taking, so come and join us!”

David Horne, Managing Director of Virgin Trains on the east coast route said: “Here at Virgin Trains, we want all our amazing customers to enjoy Valentine’s Day, including our single passengers. The love carriage is the perfect place to meet new people, and who knows, romance could be one train-ride away.”

High speed dating guests are invited to enjoy the excitement of the ‘Love Carriage’ upon one of Virgin’s newly revamped trains. Virgin Trains recently announced a £42m investment for its East Coast route, including money for refurbishing the interior and exterior of the trains, as well as an engine overhaul for the fleet ahead of the arrival of Hitachi Super Express Trains in 2018.

Rebel Florist Offers Tips For The Perfect Valentine’s Day

By on 1st February 2016in Lifestyle

A North East florist is helping out northern Romeos with a guide to buying Valentine’s blooms, which are an alternative to roses…

14th February is one of the busiest days of the year for florists, as shoppers splash out on bunches of traditional (and sometimes very expensive) red roses for their loved ones.

However, Susie Griffiths of the Rebel Flower Company at The Village, intu Metrocentre, Gateshead, has devised a number of romantic ways of ‘saying it with flowers’ on Valentine’s Day which offer a contemporary take on the traditional bouquet of roses.

Susie said: “Red roses may have become a firm favourite, but in fact there are many flowers and plants associated with love, whose links with romance go back even further.

“For example, orchids have been linked with love for centuries. Potions made from orchids, once drunk, were said to result in hopeless infatuation and Cymbidium orchids, in particular have an alluring honey fragrance, mythically believed to aid fertility.”

Having managed florists in England and Ireland, Susie started her own floristry business at intu Metrocentre at a stall outside House of Fraser. She was so successful that she was able to move into her very own store in the centre’s Village for independent retailers.

With a wealth of experience and the ambition to help those stuck for inspiration, Susie has come up with five tips for romantics against roses:

  1. Go for fragrance. Pick a bloom that not only looks beautiful, but smells beautiful. Every time your Valentine smells the bouquet, they’ll think of you.
  2. You don’t have to go for the biggest bouquet. Choose three or five flowers (an odd number is always best), and add a few sprigs of lavender or rosemary for fragrance. Tie them with an elastic band and cover the band with a length of ribbon.
  3. As an alternative to a bouquet, try a corsage. It’s a lovely, old-fashioned way to present flowers to your date, and it should be a small spray, consisting of a single flower with maybe some fern or gypsophila that would be attached to clothing or a handbag.
  4. If you’re keen to stick with red, the colour of passion, then opt for a single exotic bloom. Perhaps an amaryllis? Consider a simple bunch of red tulips or spring blooms, tied raffia, and a label asking ‘will you be my Valentine?’
  5. If roses are a must, consider a soft pink, yellow or cream. They’re possibly even more beautiful than the blood red ones, and did you know that pink roses are actually symbolic of elegance and romance, whereas a yellow flower signifies friendship?

“I think the thing to remember is that you can always be creative,” said Susie. “There is so much variety out there, and if you make your blooms stand out then you’ll definitely make the right impression with your Valentine.”

For more information, visit www.rebelflowercompany.co.uk.

Chance To ‘Score’ At Stadium Of Light This Valentine’s Day

By on 30th January 2016in Lifestyle

Couples from across the North East can score a Valentine’s Day to remember thanks to a special event at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light…

On Sunday February 14th, the landmark venue will be hosting a candlelit dinner in its Riverview Brasserie to celebrate the most romantic day of the year.

Couples attending the event, organised by 1879 Events Management, will be treated to champagne and canapés on arrival, followed by a decadent three course meal.

This includes a choice of starters, main courses and desserts, ranging from salmon and king prawn salad to roasted rack of lamb and a selection of farmhouse cheeses.

A number of vegetarian dishes will also be available, including walnut crusted goats’ cheese, tomato and caramelised onion tart and rich chocolate truffle.

To help make the evening extra special, each table will receive a complimentary bottle of wine and a small gift to take away.

David Moses, General Manager at 1879 Events Management, said: “Valentine’s Day is one of the most romantic days of the year, but it can also be one of the most expensive.

“This year we wanted to offer couples value for money, as well as the chance to enjoy an amazing evening out, and fine food prepared for their pleasure by our expert chefs.”

Valentine’s Day at the Stadium of Light is priced at £55 per couple, with sittings running from 7pm.

A 10 per cent discount is also available for Sunderland AFC season card holders who book before January 31st.

For more information, or to book, call 0871 911 1555 or email conf&banq@safc.com.

Tyneside Restaurants Reveal Loved-Up Valentine’s Day Menus

By on 19th January 2016in Lifestyle

Restaurants across Tyneside have the recipe for romance, with Valentine’s Day dishes for loved-up couples…

On Sunday 14th February, The Runhead, Holburn Lane, Ryton and Scalini’s, at Osborne Road, Jesmond and Great North Road, Gosforth, are offering a range of special starters, main courses and desserts.

At The Runhead, diners can choose either smoked mackerel pâté or Portobello mushrooms stuffed with goat’s cheese, followed by rack of lamb, pan-fried Dover sole or mozzarella roast vegetable stack, with a dessert of strawberry mess or tiramisu.

At Scalini’s, Jesmond, starters include antipastos and roast pear salad, while main courses feature dishes such as chargrilled T-bone steak, pan-seared king scallop and tiger prawn skewers and heart-shaped pasta parcels filled with mozzarella.

Dessert is a sharing platter of strawberry-filled meringue, chocolate orange truffle, warmed caramel brownie, lemon pannacotta torte, ice creams, fruit coulis and chocolate pencils.

And, for those planning to celebrate the occasion with a group of friends, the restaurant is also offering a free bottle of house wine for tables of six or more.

At Scalini’s, Gosforth, diners can choose from crab and Welsh rarebit toasties or sharing platters of antipasto fritto misto or pulled beef brisket nachos, main courses of a pork board to share, 10oz ribeye steak or pan-seared scallops and desserts, to be announced on the day.

Those who can not wait until 14th February, can celebrate Valentine’s Day early at the Sandpiper, Cullercoats, which is serving its special menu on 13th February, in order not to disappoint Sunday diners keen to enjoy the venue’s popular carvery.

Romantic diners on 13th February will be able to choose either North Sea fishcake or ham hock terrine, followed by pan haggerty, seared cod, chorizo and bean stew or sirloin steak, followed by sticky toffee pudding or lemon posset.

Valentine’s menus are available throughout the day at each venue, and further information can be found at www.scalinisrestaurant.co.uk, www.therunhead.co.uk and www.thesandpiperbar.co.uk.

Tyneside Hotels Offer Valentine’s Day Packages

By on 12th January 2016in In & Around

Cupid’s arrow is aimed squarely at Tyneside, with Valentine’s offers at two top Newcastle hotels next month…

Grey Street Hotel takes its name from its location on Newcastle’s most famous city centre, Regency street, while the New Northumbria is at the heart of the upmarket Jesmond area of the city.

Between Friday 12th and Sunday 14th February, loved-up couples can enjoy an overnight stay at The New Northumbria and Grey Street Hotels, from just £60 and £70 per room, respectively.

For an additional £25 per room, Valentine’s weekend guests at each hotel can also upgrade to a Romantic Break package, which includes a bottle of prosecco, rose petals, sweets and bath salts.

For further information or to book, contact the Grey Street Hotel on 0191 230 6777 or at www.greystreethotel.co.uk, and the New Northumbria Hotel on 0191 281 4961 or at www.thenewnorthumbriahotel.co.uk.

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