Are there other reasons for people's previous attempts failing? Is the garden centre seen as somewhere to go shopping? Not just for plants, but gifts etc? May make it difficult otherwise.

I wonder how easy it is to be taken seriously as a 'full' florist in a garden centre, eg. wedding/funeral orders. It seems weird, but that might just be me!

You need support to make it work. Is your husband likely to bend to your way of thinking. It will be tough enough without a battle at home too.

Apart from rent, are there huge start-up implications involved? The 'stall' idea sounds like a good way to trial it.

5000 people is not a huge amount considering the square footage of the premises, don't be seduced by big numbers!

No competition is good in one way, but a little competition can be good. Also people tend to shop where there are lots of the same shop, cause you have more choice, like shopping malls.

The demos might be a very lucrative sideline to consider, just don't let him charge you too much for rooms etc.

Will you get some say in advertising etc?

Would you automatically get contract for vases in restaurant etc?

I hope that doesn't come off as too negative, it's just my ponderings!

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