Love is in the air and Merton Council is taking up Cupid’s bow, urging residents to show their affection for Morden and its businesses.

Just before Valentine’s Day, on Friday 12 February, Safer Merton – a partnership made up of the council, police and other agencies – joined Merton Council along with Morden businesses, including The Bakery, Sonia’s Londis store and Morden Eye Centre, all determined to show their love for the borough. As the season of sweet love kicks off, the local businesses gave out free cakes to sample along with heartshaped sweets.

Safer neighbourhood teams and council enforcement officers were stationed outside the civic centre promoting to residents ways in which they can take care of their town centres. Neighbourhood wardens were on hand to give advice on ways to cut crime, while fire officers were busy informing people about how to get hold of a free smoke alarm. NHS Sutton and Merton offered advice to on giving up smoking and getting healthy. Virgin Active were also there with their exercise bikes, making hearts beat stronger as they showed people the right way to get in shape for spring.

Merton Council’s cabinet member for finance and regeneration Councillor Diane Neil Mills said: “Valentine’s Day is a great opportunity to think about our love for others but also about looking after ourselves and our local businesses. We want people to show a little love for their town.

“We are in financially challenging times, but loving local businesses helps support the local economy and the jobs that go with it.”

More information can be found at http://www.merton.gov.uk/morden

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Note to editors

The following were at the Love Morden event:

· Virgin Active
· The Bakery
· Sonia’s Londis
· Lansdale Florist
· Merton College
· NHS Sutton and Merton