Blooms in Bradford is the T&A's Trader of the Week

Ann Fawcett works as a florist, and she loves it. She co-owns Blooms in Market Street - our Telegraph & Argus Trader of the Week - creating beautiful bouquets and floral arrangements for events from weddings to christenings, birthdays and funerals.

There are many displays in the shop, to inspire customers

“People are often surprised to receive a bouquet, and some burst into tears,” she says.

“We make all sorts of floral tributes - we have made a can of Carling with a hand around it, a trilby hat, a giraffe and a pipe among others. My head of floral design Lee Thompson loves creating arrangements like that.”

Qualified florist Louisa Broster makes up the talented team, while students from Shipley College often join them on placements.

“We make sure students are hands-on and are involved in everything,” says Ann.

She previously worked as a pub landlady and always enjoyed decorating the premises prior to weddings. “That is when I started. I had a friend who was a florist and came to help make the bows and other displays,” she says.

Anne Fawcett

After leaving the pub she took up floristry part-time, creating bouquets for family and friends, before deciding to take the plunge and work full-time in the profession.

Ann completed a BTEC Level 3 in floristry at Shipley College. She opened a shop, Fleurs, in Cullingworth, before moving into Bradford city centre to open Blooms. “A friend pointed out that there was no florist in the city centre, so we opened the shop together,” says Ann.

A bunch of red tulips - a very popular flower

Just three days after opening her new florist’s shop, Ann Fawcett had to close due to lockdown.

“We had so many flowers in the shop, we contacted nursing homes to ask if they wanted any and many did, so we gave them away. The wholesalers in Leeds were inspired by us to do the same.”

Blooms on Market Street

Despite being surrounded by so many flowers, Ann does not hesitate in naming her favourite. “I like double lilies - they are just so different, the smell is really gorgeous and there are no stamens so they are pollen-free.”

She is less keen on working with roses. “They can nip your hands to shreds, and we get so many for Valentine’s Day - we are really busy then,” she says.

The shop is very busy around Valentine's Day

Customers love the smell when they visit in the shop. “They say ‘oh it’s lovely’, but when you work here all the time you don’t smell it.”

Ann also hosts floristry classes at venues across the district. “I am doing a basket arrangement at Headley Golf Club in Thornton shortly, with afternoon tea, and at Christmas we do wreath making.”

The staff at Blooms also make their own scented candles. “We have a birthday bundle, with a bouquet, candle and card,” adds Ann.

Staff make scented candles too

Interestingly, florists themselves rarely get bought flowers. “It would be nice, but it doesn’t happen,” laughs Ann.

*Blooms, Market Street, Bradford BD1 1LH; bloomsbradford.co.uk