Valentine's Day was marked by more than romantic gestures this year as delivery drivers across the UK took to the streets in a coordinated strike that disrupted services for several major food delivery apps, including Deliveroo, Uber Eats, Just Eat, and Stuart.com. The group behind the action, Delivery Jobs UK, called for better working conditions and rights for couriers, who are often seen competing for jobs across these platforms.

The strike had a significant impact in Brighton, where popular fast-food outlets like McDonald's, KFC, and numerous supermarkets were unable to process orders through the affected apps. Demonstrating a strong show of unity, dozens of riders gathered at Madeira Drive on Brighton's seafront at 5 pm before embarking on a city-wide ride. Their route took them past several food outlets they typically deliver for, bringing attention to their cause and the reliance of both businesses and consumers on their services.