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Yorkshire men are reluctant to buy red roses for Valentine’s Day, says Asda.
In a bid to keep romance alive across the county, the Leeds-based supermarket chain is selling bouquets of white roses across its Yorkshire stores for Tuesday (February 14).
The retailer said the reason is because ‘it is understood that patriotic Yorkshire folk are refusing to buy red roses, as they are associated with rival county Lancashire’.
It may have been over five centuries ago, but apparently some Yorkshire men have not forgotten the ‘War of the Roses’: the conflict between the red House of Lancaster and the white House of York
The retailer is still selling red roses in Yorkshire but expects the white rose alternative to prove more popular with patriots of the county.
Already a symbol of Yorkshire, the alternative white Valentine’s Day rose is on sale at Asda stores across the Northern England county, including Leeds, Pontefract, Castleford, Bradford, York, Keighley, Sheffield, Huddersfield, Wakefield, Dewsbury, Barnsley and Doncaster.
Asda flower planner Lucy Grieve said: “Being based in Leeds, we know how patriotic our customers in Yorkshire are about their county.
“So for Valentine’s Day, we wanted to sell a special white bouquet, so couples can show their love for one-another and celebrate their love for Yorkshire at the same time – a real win, win.”
Priced at £5 for 16 stems, the white roses have received a positive response from customers.
Olly Thackray, a shopper at Asda Harrogate in North Yorkshire, said: “This is a great idea. I’m Yorkshire through and through, but I’ve never bought roses before – I think maybe it was a subconscious thing, and the thought of buying a red rose perhaps just didn’t sit too well with me.
“There’s still a bit of rivalry with Lancashire and Yorkshire, with the cricket, rugby and football teams especially, but it’s more of a sense of local pride than anything else.
“Either way though, I know my missus will absolutely love that I’ve got her some flowers for Valentine’s, as she’s never had any from me before. And I’ll be happy because they are white roses just for Yorkshire!”
