Virgin Megastores taking part in Brit Week

LOS ANGELES, April 21 (UPI) -- Virgin Megastores says it is taking part in Brit Week, a host of events celebrating the British connection with Southern California.

This year's program will include a British classic car exhibition, a "Brit Walk" linking dozens of British fashion and luxury brands, British delicacies in popular hotels and restaurants, British music in clubs and concert halls and screenings of British films.

The Virgin Megastores is one of the featured retailers in the Brit Walk, in which various maps highlighting local merchants with U.K. roots will be distributed and advertised across the Los Angeles area. Despite the Megastores' plans to close in June, the chain said it remains committed to the British week-long campaign.

"Brit Week is even bigger than in years past. It's really growing in popularity within the neighborhoods of Los Angeles," Simon Wright, chief executive officer of Virgin Megastores and board member of Brit Week, said in a statement. "Virgin enjoys being a part of this annual event and it gives us a real opportunity to connect directly with our southern California communities."

Along with participating in the Brit Walk, Virgin Megastores will also offer up its LCD screen for Brit Week promotions at the chain's west coast flagship location at Hollywood and Highland.

Brit Week officially kicked off Tuesday with a gala dinner honoring former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.