Stowmarket florist celebrates 45 rosy years

A Stowmarket florist has celebrated its 45 year anniversary - and reopening after a bus ploughed into the shop - by completing a free bouquet chain.

Owner of Edelweiss Florists, Isabel Wilton, wanted to do something special after the shop was shut for ten months when a bus crashed into the shop in February last year causing major structural damage.

As the shop reopened at the end of November, and the businesses’ anniversary was on Boxing Day, Isabel thought she would do something special to celebrate.

“We started the chain the day we reopened - we decided the first person to come in would receive a free bouquet,” she said.

“They then nominated someone else and that was how it went on.

“We didn’t have any say in who received the flowers, it was chosen by the previous person.

“There were all sorts of reasons for people getting nominated.

“Sometimes they were thanking people for what they had done and how kind they had been.

“Some people were recognised for the general good they do in their particular village or area. “Some were sympathy flowers.

“We were thrilled to do 45 bouquets and are very sad when it was finished because we have really enjoyed meeting all these lovely people.

“It was great fun and we hope it had brought people a lot of happiness.”

Although Isabel’s business has always been based in Stowmarket, she moved to her current shop in Market Place 15 years ago.

She said the trade has transformed drastically since she started.

“It has changed unbelievably,” she said.

“We didn’t have Oasis when I started so had to use wire netting and water.

“Better transport was a major change in the business and means we can stock flowers from all over the world.

“The supermarkets have also changed everything, making flowers readily available.

“You used to have to visit a florist to get flowers but not any longer.

“It has meant most of what we do is much more bespoke and specialised.

“People can pop in speak to us, get advice and get ideas.”