Victoria calls for a Valentine’s do-over

15th February 2021 | Eativity editors

The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has launched a campaign to encourage couples to celebrate Valentine’s Day – properly – two weeks later on Sunday, February 28, in a Valentine’s Day “do-overto provide a much-needed boost for hospitality venues and florists blindsided by the sudden five-day circuit-breaker lockdown.

Local businesses have once again copped the brunt of failures in hotel quarantine and contact tracing systems, with reported losses of up to $100 million for restaurants and $36 million for florists due to this latest lockdown.

The hospitality industry estimates $30 million in fresh produce will be wasted due to closures.

The Chamber of Commerce is calling for Victorians to unite as a state to support these sectors when people are again able to dine out and shop in person after the lockdown ends.

“Victorian businesses in the hospitality, events and floristry sectors have been left heartbroken on what was meant to be the most romantic day of the year – and their most profitable,” says Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Chief Executive Paul Guerra.

“We all want our favourite restaurants, cafes, venues and florists to be around for next year’s Valentine’s Day, and saying ‘they can just do take-away’ really isn’t going to cut it. The best thing we can do for these businesses is to boost their revenue, which is why the Victorian Chamber of Commerce is proposing that we reschedule Valentine’s Day for two weeks later, on February 28 this year.”

Restaurants were planning on a big Valentine’s weekend, but are now facing massive losses.

Victorians participating in the campaign are encouraged to show their support by sharing their February 28 Valentine’s Day booking or experience on their social channels with #ValentinesDaydoover and, of course, tagging their restaurant, cafes, bar, florist or shop.

“We are encouraging all Victorians to reschedule their original [Valentine’s] plans for February 28 to provide hope and support for our hardest-hit sectors, which are once again paying the cost for failures in our state’s hotel quarantine and contact tracing systems.” 

Looking for a special place to book for your #ValentinesDaydoover? Check out some top restaurant suggestions here and here.