A florist is set to permanently close after more than three decades on the high street.
Fladbury Flowers on Pershore High Street will close on November 7, following ‘one of the hardest decisions’ the owner has ever had to make.
Esther Weetman has worked at Fladbury Flowers for two decades and owned the business for 7 years following the previous owner’s retirement.
Fladbury Flowers with close on Pershore High Street after more than three decades (Image: Daniel Kelly/NQ)
However, since taking over, the prices of flowers have more than tripled. This, combined with declining High Street footfall and increased competition, have been major factors behind her decision to close.
Esther Weetman, owner of Fladbury Flowers, shared the news with customers, describing it as “a decision made with the head and not the heart.”
Mrs Weetman said: “I am sad to say that the time has come for me to announce the closure of Fladbury Flowers.
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“This is a decision made with the head and not the heart, and it was one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make.
“I have been a florist for 20 years, 7 of which running my own shop, and the industry has altered a lot.
“At this moment in time, the costs involved have just become too much. The price of flowers I source continue to rise, which is making it very difficult to make a living. For a number of years, I’ve absorbed these increases, but that is unsustainable.
Fladbury Flowers will close on November 7 2026 (Image: Daniel Kelly/NQ)
“This factor, coupled with a general lack of high street footfall, competition from non-specialist retailers and increasing transportation costs, unfortunately leave me with just one option, and that is to say goodbye.”
Ms Weetman described the shop as “amazing” and thanked those who supported her throughout the years, but said, “there is a ceiling on how much you can sell a bouquet of flowers for”.
She said: “This little shop has been amazing; it has survived a pandemic and several weather-related challenges; it has been a place that makes people happy; it has helped people when they have been sad; it somehow also turned into a meeting place for people who just wanted to say hello on their way into town.”
