Shopping centre recreates Pont des Arts magic with its own take on Paris love locks for Valentine’s

A Parisian-inspired love lock scene is set to become a familiar sight in one of Hull’s busiest shopping centres in time for Valentine’s Day.

Prospect Centre was inspired by the Pont des Arts, in Paris, for its innovative Locked in Love idea which launches this week. The Parisian version was renowned for being a popular tourist destination for couples who would attach a lock to the bridge as a sign of their love and then throw the key into the River Seine.

From Saturday, February 13, visitors to the Hull shopping centre will be able to place a lock inscribed with a loved ones initial on the wall and throw the lock into a wishing well as a symbol of eternal love, which will be a permanent feature at the centre’s West Street entrance in the run up to 2017.

If shoppers take a picture of their lock, which can be used as a symbol of love, romance or in memory of a loved one, and post it on the centre’s Facebook page they will be automatically entered in to a competition to win £250 worth of Jet2 flight vouchers. The centre has also teamed up with Goldmsith’s to offer those attending the launch on Saturday the chance to win a Michael Kors padlock bracelet worth £115.

Lee Appleton, centre manager, said: “We are very excited to launch the Locked in Love wall. Valentine’s weekend seemed like the perfect time to unveil this, when a lot of people will be looking for unique gestures they can make for their partners, so I am confident Saturday’s event will gage a lot of interest.

“Since the tradition is no longer possible in Paris, the love locks craze has caught on in the UK and has worked successfully in other towns and cities. It will be a great addition to the centre and it will give visitors to Hull yet another unique experience.”

This initiative is the first of many events the community-focused retail destination has lined up this year, many of which fall under the recently established Prospect for Culture theme, which is currently in its final stages of planning.

“With a very busy events calendar, it is shaping up to be another exciting year for the centre,” Lee added.

“It is important to start building momentum around Hull’s imminent City of Culture status to attract visitors even before 2017, which is why we are tailoring this year’s events to support the city’s wider plans and celebrations to maximise its potential.”