Florist News

Hi guys, I hope you can help me. I have been looking for a shop premises for a while now and have looked at a few places. One of the shops was the right location but the rent was very high, another was a lovely unit but the location was wrong. Today I looked at a premises thats lovely, in a good location, rent is reasonable but (isn't there always a BUT!!) it is very small (only 250sq foot). My question is this.....is that enough space to work with? There is no storage space in the shop but I have a big garage at home. I would love to take this unit...... what do you think? Any ideas would be very welcome. Thanks.

why not take the unit and store most things like vases etc at home in your garage. I know a lot of little shops tend to keep quite a lot of stock outside so this could be an answer. If the location is right i would consider that the decision maker for you. Good luck in whatever you decide. My shop is really big and although on the plus side this is great for space etc, its also really expensive to keep stocked up So, at least you wouldnt have that to worry abuot.

Thanks Tulips, I have seen the pictures of your shop and I have aspired to having a shop like it. (I even printed off the pictures to show my hubby)

orr thanks Catkins, i was really lucky when my premises became available but i knew strait away i wanted it so i would ultimately say go with your heart as thats where the passion is. Thanks so much for the lovely comments on my shop, that means so much!!

As Tulips said the size would be easy to stock and I also location would be your deciding factor if you have a good area outdoor you could have a fab display also a smaller premises with reasonable rent would be a good starting point have a look at Qualified Florist web she has a very small shop and has a lovely display outside.

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snowdrop that is exactly what i was going to suggest, hey but qf prides herself on having the smallest shop, dont know how she would take to the competitoin Defo check it out and i am sure she would give you tips on space saving - she is really helpful!

Actually this could be a marketing feature, smallest shop, biggest talent, biggest passion etc....

Thanks Tulips and Snowdrop, I have looked at qualified florists web and the shop looks lovely. I will try to catch her online for some advise.

Last year we went from a shop about 120 sqm (sorry I don't do feet) to half size about 63 sqm. The reduced rent is SO worth it, overheads are continually rising so you've gotta keep things down wherever you can, particularly when you are just starting out. Yes it would be lovely to have a big shop but the are practical advantages to the small one. I don't know what your sundries suppliers are like but we have 1 that comes weekly, one fortnightly and 1 monthly so we just changed buying habbits and bought less more often.

Having said that it really, really sucked not having enough room at Mothers Day! But we survived and even when we were in the big shop we thought we didn't have enough room for peaks.

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Do you have any parking with the shop. We had 2 spaces in a yard at the rear so always had the option of parking up an old van (luton body is good) and using it for storage. As long as no one nicks it or you don't store too much valuable stuff in it...possibilities. Have to check the lease though.

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ok mine is 15ft by 5ft and its great, cute n i display alot outside,......but!!! its a big pain in the ass i have no storage, i have to beg the shop next door to put my bin in thier yard .... i beg n bribe them to use the space also to put my buckets and its a nightmare when we have 3 to 4 staff in at busy times bum to bum good job we all get on lol but it does work i make a good profit and now i have solved my problems by opening the second shop which is enoumous compared to this one so hun the lower the rent and rates the better the profit but thats as long as you get the custom through your door good luck with your decision