AN “upmarket” florist is due to open in one of Bradford’s most striking city centre buildings.

Blooms is due to open in the Grade I listed Wool Exchange, in a unit that was recently occupied by La Fronda chocolate store but has been empty since August.

The business will be opening with the help of an £8,000 grant from Bradford Council under its City Centre Growth scheme, and is expected to start trading in March, shortly before Mother’s Day.

The store will stock high quality fresh bouquets, flower presentations and custom arrangements along with luxury candles and greeting cards.

It will feature a plush private consultation area where customers can quietly discuss wedding, events and funeral flowers.

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Since launching in 2012 the growth schemes have supported 245 businesses, brought 104 empty commercial spaces including retail and office back into use and generated 790 new jobs. Fifty-six new start-ups have been created under the schemes.

Other businesses to receive recent support from the council’s City Centre Growth scheme includes Remy International wine bar, Time Trapped on Hustlergate, Geek Retreat at Bank Street, Nightrain Bar on Queensgate, Rabbit Hole in Westgate, Brick Box rooms on Ivegate and Tiffin Coffee Grande at Charles Street.

The schemes will be discussed as part of a report on city centre regeneration that goes to the Council's Regeneration and Environment Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday.

The new business’ opening hours will be Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm, and Saturday 8am – 7pm. The store will be closed on Sundays.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “We are thrilled to see yet another high quality business open in Bradford making use of our grants which are designed to boost employment and bring vacant properties back into use.

“Our growth schemes have been very successful having helped hundreds of businesses to create hundreds of new jobs.”