Florist News

is anyone having problems with the heat in thier shop, ours is getting to warm we asked about air con and got a quote for 2k which is a bit steep for us, do any of you have refridgeration units for the flowers?

You need to think about the long term and what you're trying to achieve. If you want tto turn your shop into a large refridgerator, which is what air con is going to do ,, regardless of what temperature you're after, then it's not going to come cheap. 2k is probably not bad for a new installation in a reasonably sized shop. I've got an air con unit in mine with the large compressor outside, but that was second hand when fitted and was about £500 all done, 10 years ago. The actual hardware wasn't charged, just labour, gas and fitting materials like copper pipe etc. I've onlu used it a few times during hot summers and yes it makes a big difference. I've got a large coldroom and everything goes away at night, but a lot of that is down to space, i have to bring in the outside show and put it somewhere. If i was starting all over, i might consider just using air con, leaving the displays out and having some sort of curtain arrangement set back from the windows to close it up at night and weekends, but still leave a window show. That would save a lot of work each day, but add to the running costs. Potentially you could save more in terms of wastage and the general condition of the flowers as well as customers perception of your shop. If people are standing in a cool environment, they will buy flowers. If it's really hot, they will think twice about how long they will last. What it's like outside is a bit irrelevant at the time.

__________________

ive got a portable air con unit ann, i think they are only a few hundred quid, and it does the job.

Personally i dont like the idea of refridgation units because i think its too much of a shock for the flowers to come straight from the cold and go into someones house which is bound to be much warmer.

I know the wholesalers use them, but going from there and into our shops in the winter the temperature probably isnt that much different, unless youve got heating on all the time.

i like to keep my flowers cool, but not cold.

thanks for all info mabe if we see different oppinions we will think about what to do, i thought that having air con would creat a problem cuz the doors will have to be closed all the time anyway we have to get our thinking caps on.