By Savithri Rodrigo
London UK (Commonwealth Union)_Love has never been this expensive and Valentine’s spend this year threatened to burn holes through pockets. This led to spending in the name of love, in the UK seeing massive decreases due to skyrocketing inflation increasing the prices of flowers, chocolates and even restaurant dining to unimaginable levels. With food inflation seeing record highs of 16.7 percent in January this year due to the Russia-Ukraine War and supply chain logistics yet experiencing delays post-COVID, restaurants were transforming their ‘Celebrating Love’ menus for the more cash conscious customer, who yet wanted to celebrate Valentine’s Day without emptying their bank balance.
The British Office of National Statistics detailed that eating at restaurants was costing 9.4 percent more than last year. Chocolate makers hiked prices up by 10.7 percent but supermarkets kept their Valentine’s Day deals aimed at affordability. Flowers were definitely not cheap increasing 6.2 percent although, some clever restaurateurs were bundling flowers and dining with a discount thrown in for good measure.
Sainsbury’s combined with UberEats for a 15 pound bundle of a three course meal, drinks and gifts with free delivery, while Tesco brought down the prices of a dinner for two to 12 pounds from the 15 pounds charged last year. Even PizzaExpress got in on the action offering a three course set menu washed down with a Prosecco and raspberry mimosa, heart shaped dough balls and a main course of Padana at 24 Pounds, while a lesser love bundle that included a starter and a classic pizza was delivered with love at just 15 pounds.
On the other side of the coin, ‘Puttin on the Ritz’ was what The Ritz did. Dubbed the most romantic restaurant in London, the Michelin star restaurant kept to its reputation and upped the stakes with a Valentine’s menu at 395 pounds, up 70 pounds over last year. But if you had the dosh, it was worth a splurge what with a glass of Barons de Rothschild Ritz Reserve NV Champagne and John Williams OBE, the Executive Chef having a hand in curating a romantic menu fit for royalty.
But The Ritz seems relatively cheap compared to the Luxury Hotel Le Bristol in Paris which added a seductive offer for just 2,190 Euros (1100 Euros more expensive than last year), which was not just a gastronomic journey for two, but one night’s stay, chocolate and champagne.
And while the UK and Europe struggled to come to terms with inflation but nevertheless had plenty taking up the Valentine’s day offers, Sri Lanka which had its own unprecedented money woes to deal with due to a debilitating economic crisis sold an unforgettable Valentine’s experience for LKR 2.5 million (USD 1,370) at a five star hotel in Colombo. The love-filled experience included one night’s stay in the Presidential Suite, a diamond necklace, 365 roses, his and hers spa treatments and a romantic multi-course dinner on a yacht. Well if that won’t get you a Valentine, what will?
