Florist adapts to 2020 challenge as shop reopens
Adapting to survive has put a Staffordshire florist in a good place prior to reopening.
Sorella Florist & Event Stylist has reopened its doors for customers looking for flowers and floral arrangements for weddings, funerals and other occasions.
Kerry Goodyear, who co-owns the shop with her sister Kirstie McCullogh, said the last four weeks of lockdown had been a time to take stock and make the preparations to reopen.
The 44-year-old said the first lockdown had caused a massive impact on the shop, but also helped them shape how the service they offer runs.
She said: “When the first lockdown started, we were quite badly hit as all our bookings for weddings were transferred to next year and we had to think about what to do next.
“We spent a lot of time revamping our website and doing click and collect from the studio, as well as providing flowers for funerals and general sale.
“We’ve also started doing Zoom meetings to do workshops of flower design and Christmas wreaths, so we’ve changed our business a lot in nine months, all for the better.”
Mrs Goodyear said the reopening of the shop in Hednesford meant everything, adding: “When you’re a small business owner and you put your heart and soul into your business, to watch it all start to disappear is heartbreaking.
“It’s not just the job, it’s your business and it’s not just your livelihood that helps pay the bills, it’s everything to you. To reopen is great and we definitely want people to be back in the town and popping in to say hello.”
