Floral Laura loves owning Hucknall business

Laura Ridley, who has lived in Hucknall her whole life, owns the Floral Boutique, on Baker Street in the town centre.

The 37-year-old, who started as a florist when she was just 17, has owned the shop for three years, since her former employers sold it to her.

She describes the opportunity as her “lucky chance” and decided within a day of it going on the market that she was going to buy it.

She says: “This is my dream job, I love being a florist.

“I never thought I would own my own shop, but it was something I just couldn’t pass up.”

The florists provides for events such as weddings, funerals, birthdays and anniversaries, as well as selling home decorations.

Laura, a floral fanatic who also has a passion for gardening, says she loves the job because it makes her feel happy.

She says “Obviously I enjoy arranging all the flowers, but it’s also about seeing people’s reactions when they are delivered – that’s one of the most joyful parts of the job.

“I am here to please people, so it delights me when people are actually happy with my work.”

She describes her favourite job while owning her shop as a Christmas wedding she did a few years ago.

“A lot of my wedding work is beautiful, but this was just fantastic given the time of year,” Laura says.

And not only does Laura enjoy what she does, but also where she does it.

“I love my hometown,” she says. “Hucknall is a great place with lots of community spirit.

“This is exactly the place I want to be.

“I wouldn’t want to do my job anywhere else.”

Laura’s mum works alongside her, helping out with orders and deliveries, as well as the rest of the family if the business is particularly busy, such as around Valentine’s Day.

She says: “My parents are really proud of me. I know my mum loves working here just as much as I do.”

However, despite her love for flowers and gardening, Laura says, for some reason, she never seems to receive many flowers from her friends and family.

“People tend to steer clear of buying me flowers for some reason, so I don’t have as many flowers inside my house as people might have expected me to.

“However, I do enjoy a spot of gardening, so there are always lots of them out there.”

Floral Boutique is open Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, from 9.30am to 5pm, Wednesdays, from 9.30am to 1pm, and Saturdays, from 9am to 3pm.

More information about the florists can be found on the Floral Boutique website – visit www.floralboutiquefloristhucknall.co.uk