Annabel de Capell Brooke launched Norfolk Cupid at the beginning of 2024 and she has set dozens of clients up on dates in the year and a half since.
She initially wanted to help those looking for a second chance at love later in life, but was surprised to attract interest from people in their 20s and 30s.
Annabel de Capell Brooke, the founder of Norfolk Cupid(Image: Supplied)
A lot of these singles reported being disillusioned with the apps and their generation’s casual attitude to romance, so wanted some help from a third party.
“Everyone is looking for more meaningful relationships now,” Annabel said. “They want intentionality, safety and authentic connections.”
From talking to these new clients, she feels that a lot of the shift in attitude towards casual relationships has come from television shows such as Married At First Sight and Love Is Blind, which see couples get married as part of the process.
Annabel de Capell Brooke says “marriage is a huge commitment”(Image: Supplied)
“It’s really scary that relatively young kids are watching these shows,” she said. “It makes love into a game show, where the contestants are always wondering if they have picked the right person, or if the grass is greener on the other side.
“It looks so free and easy and makes marriage and meaningful relationships seem like they are not a big deal – but marriage is a huge commitment and it should be taken seriously.”
Although these programmes are not known for creating long and happy relationships, some success stories have emerged.
Jasmine met her husband on Love Is Blind UK(Image: Netflix)
These include Jasmine Johnson, a mental health nurse who was originally from Great Yarmouth.
She appeared on the first series of Love Is Blind UK and met her now-husband Bobby Johnson.
Grace is on the current series of Married At First Sight(Image: Channel 4)
The pair is now expecting their first child together.
And Grace, a midwife from Norwich, is hoping to follow suit, as she is currently appearing on the 10th series of Married At First Sight on E4.