Judy Austin - almost 70 years a florist

A well-known Coventry florists shut its doors for the last time this week, bringing an end to a remarkable 70-year story of a family-run business.

Judy Austin Flowers had served the Coventry public for all of their flower needs since it was set-up by the parents of its eponymous owner in 1944. (more…)

Considering a career in floristry?

Many of our customers are professionally involved in the flower trade, with a good number working as florists, but quite a few of our readers are amateur flower arrangers who do it purely for the love of creating beautiful displays for their own home or for friends and family.

Amateur flower arranging brings its own rewards and is one of the most fulfilling hobbies anyone can have – most professional florists will tell you it’s why they got into the business in the first place. But what if you want to take that hobby further? How does someone go about making the transition from keen amateur to making a living from their passion? (more…)

Stephen

What does it take to become a NAFAS Demonstrator, Steely strength, good sense of humour?

We thought we had better investigate!  So we invited our very own Sussex Demonstrator along to the warehouse for a chat to find out more……. (more…)

No we are not talking about the Sister Sledge classic we are talking about The Village Nursery West Chilitington in the hear t of West Sussex.  The setting for this business is idyllic surrounded by the sound of the birds and the green and pleasant lands of Sussex. And if that wasn’t enough to enfuse tranquillity in the workforce, they’re all very nice to each other because they’re family – not all sisters though…. (more…)

Flower Pot Man indeed..

So on a very busy street in Shoreham by Sea Walter Smith’s Florist Shop proudly have their own Flower Pot Man – a four foot high character made from various sized terracotta flower pots, who welcomes customers to the shop.   And there’s plenty of people to admire the work,  being right by the railway station it’s great   for commuters  drivers and pedestrians alike – all of them  have to regularly wait for the level crossing  gates to lift.

Today, we are meeting Andi and Chris who took over the shop in December 2009.   We ask Andi and Chris why they chose this particular shop as their first joint venture “We were looking to take over, an ‘up and running’ business, ideally from someone who was retiring, where someone had loved the shop and the business, not one that was failing or unpopular,” Chris adds that he had spent quite a lot of time observing the footfall past the shop and also researching how long the level crossing gates were closed-would this be a bonus or a pitfall? From his vantage point from the pub opposite, having people mill about when the gates were closed was a distinct advantage.  During his research   he also got to know some of his potential customers at the same time!

(more…)

Tina, "Little Miss Pink" at work

Kemptown Flowers is in its infancy, just 4 months old!  The new arrival is refreshing and real evidence that recession can be the catalyst for inspiration!  Kemptown is an area of Hove and Brighton which is a busy ‘village’ close enough to the sea to hear the gulls, but not quite close enough to smell the salt! 

Today we meet Tina Croucher, the charismatic owner of Kemptown Flowers, who stands proudly in her shop adorned in a very dapper pink outfit – the colour which seems to be at the heart of her very sole and everything she does.  If colours were ever used to describe people, Tina is definitely a “Pink” person.  She personifies the energy, vibrancy and the overt nature of the colour – she is simply charming.  So it is with great ease we chat about floristry in general, the decision to start her business, the challenges she has faced so far and what the future holds. (more…)