A BRADFORD district-based florist is closing its shop for good, blaming an increase in costs.

Brambles & Blooms is shutting its shop in Bingley Road, Saltaire, this weekend.

Its owner, Claire Midgley, who has run the shop since 2014, will have her last day of trading this Sunday, Mother’s Day, after deciding to move out due an increase in costs including rental charges.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Some of the floral displays in Brambles & Blooms, which is closing this Sunday Some of the floral displays in Brambles & Blooms, which is closing this Sunday

She initially made the announcement last month on social media, calling it ‘the end of a happy little era’ adding she had negotiated with her landlord to stay open until Mother’s Day, traditionally a busy period for her business.

Claire says her customers have come into the shop since the announcement was made to express their disappointment that she is ceasing trading there.

She said: “Our last day of trading will be this Sunday.

“I’ve got mixed feelings about it. It’s a bit sad because it’s my business that I have been building up.

“But if you remove yourself away from that, it’s just a job.

“The job has been getting harder since Brexit. Availability of flowers is horrendous. There was even a shortage of flowers before Christmas.

“Brexit has been horrendous for us and we’ve had to deal with the Covid pandemic in between.

“The job has just been getting harder. Part of me is sad about it.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

“It’s across the board for all businesses. Everything is just more expensive now. My rental costs have risen.

“Customers have been coming into the shop to say they’re going to miss me.”

Claire says she is not sure about the long-term future of her business. However, she will be setting up a temporary workstation at home to fulfil her floral bookings for weddings for this year.

She added: “We have weddings back on after the pandemic.

“I will be setting up a workstation at home, temporarily, to fulfil my orders.

Meanwhile, it is the latest blow to retail in the Bradford district after another shop announced it was closing next month.

Plant One On Me will close its John Street, Bradford, shop on April 16, its owner confirmed on social media earlier this week.

The plant shop, run by Ursula Sutcliffe, has been forced to close due to ever-rising costs.

The business opened in the city in May 2019, initially in Upper Millergate, before moving to John Street. It is now set to concentrate on its online offering and will fulfil pre-booked events at the site.