Valentine's Day launch for re-branding of Keighley

Those with a passion for the town and each other are being invited to make a little love and get down to the town’s Church Green this Valentine’s Day, for the launch of a major re-branding campaign — “Love Keighley” at noon.

A marquee will welcome visitors to a Yorkshire tea party, from 10 30am to 12 30pm on Saturday, where there will be a special “Love Chair” for those who want to propose or declare their love to their other halves in a memorable way.

Retro-style “Love Keighley” memorabilia, such as bags, T-shirts and key rings will also be given away to promote re-branding mission, led by the Keighley Town Centre Association, with support from both Keighley Town Council and Bradford Council and fully backed by the Keighley News.

Heart-shaped jammy-dodgers and a cup of Yorkshire tea will be available in the marquee, opposite Keighley Shared Church, in return for a donation to Manorlands hospice.

The aim is to attract new visitors to the town and launch a new website providing information for residents.

Among the first to say why he loves Keighley was town mayor Cllr Amjad Zaman. He said: “It is my home, and if you do not support your own home it is going to decline. It is time everybody used the town's shops, help to build a vibrant local economy and say 'I love Keighley'

Town centre manager, Philip Smith commented: “Keighley has so much to offer both visitors, as well as residents. In recent years it has suffered from a negative image but after speaking to people who work and live in the area, it has become evident that they love Keighley, its history and everything it has to offer. We want to shout about it to others and ask them to come and visit the town and Love Keighley too!”

Susan Mendoza, manager of the Airedale Shopping Centre and vice-chairman of the KTCA added: “It’s great that Keighley has got its own identity now. All the local businesses are behind this new campaign and feel that it will really help promote the town.”