BBC Radio Shropshire
BBCA lady has arrange a speed-dating service to assist individuals in rural areas discover love.
Pixie Greatorex, 40, took issues into her personal arms after attempting to find speed-dating occasions in Shropshire.
In December 2024, she based Velocity Relationship Shropshire, and has mentioned she was “stunned” by how rapidly her first occasion bought out.
Ms Greatorex mentioned working the enterprise makes her really feel “like Cilla Black or Cupid” and is hopeful she will help individuals of all ages meet somebody particular.
Ms Greatorex mentioned the relationship scene in Shropshire was “not the perfect” and drove her to begin the enterprise.
Relationship is “a little bit of a minefield,” she mentioned, including “there is no approach of assembly individuals, and if you do exit you do not know in the event that they’re single.”
Ms Greatorex is hoping Velocity Relationship Shropshire will enchantment to individuals in additional rural areas, along with her occasions held in nation lodges versus city-centre bars.
She believes persons are turning to hurry relationship as a result of on-line relationship usually has its pitfalls.
“I feel that folks behave fairly badly on-line,” she mentioned.
“Ghosting, vanishing, or simply blocking individuals – the communication is simply gone, and persons are craving coming offline and being right here in individual.
“That is why the tickets promote so quick for the occasions we have had thus far.”
Clare, who’s 50, went to the occasion final month – she described relationship in a rural space as “completely surprising”.
“Dwelling in such a rural location, it is laborious to match with someone of my age [who will] match my vitality – I have been single on-and-off for eight years, that is how troublesome it’s.”
Clare admitted that there’s a stigma round speed-dating, and mentioned she was teased by work colleagues as a result of it was “portrayed as being a bit seedy”.
She mentioned Ms Greatorex’s enterprise was “very elegant” and “a bit extra upmarket”.
Stefan, 46, from Telford, mentioned he “will not do [internet dating] any extra” after attending one of many speed-dating occasions.
He admitted he was nervous about going to start with, however discovered that he actually loved it in the long run.
“After I left, I really felt actually comfy and joyful, and I knew that I might made pals in addition to assembly someone.”
Ms Greatorex has large ambitions for her enterprise, aiming to run two occasions a month for individuals of all ages – from as younger as 25, to individuals aged 65 and older.
She added that she was planning a neuro-diverse and autism-friendly occasion, in addition to singles discos and karaoke nights.
“I need to serve the neighborhood of single individuals in Shropshire in order that they have some choices once more!”
