Our Shop

 

We moved into our new shop on the high street in March 2008 and we were straightaway overwhelmed by the response we had from people both locally and passing through the town.

Lain’e Skinner, the owner, knew as soon as she walked into the shell of the shop on the first viewing that it would be perfect for her flower and gift shop.  Bunches and Bows opened six years ago and had been renting a shop on the Thetford Road in Brandon, however, due to the success and need for expansion of the shop they decided it was time to look for somewhere bigger, to buy and become their permanent ‘home’.

‘Greens’ as local people know it, turned out to be the perfect choice.  “I had often looked at Greens when passing by and thought what a waste of a beautiful shop” says Lain’e, the shop has been boarded up and closed for over 20 years.   The authentic shop front is the reason Lain’e wanted the shop, “I absolutely love the windows and couldn’t wait to dress them!” and judging by peoples comments many people in the town agree.

People have been very surprised with the transformation of the shop, with many coming in to reminisce.   “It seems as if half of Brandon were ‘paper boys’ for Mrs Green at the shop and many more people have been excited to see that we have kept the original ‘toy cabinet’” says Lain’e, “however, the shop is now unrecognisable from the shop that even I remember, my nan worked here for Mrs Green 35 years ago and the shop always seemed dark and a bit dingy!”

The shop is now very light and airy, one of the main changes being the removal of two walls, “I wanted people to be able to see us making up the flowers and so the work room is now open plan, I also wanted somewhere people could sit comfortably and decide on their choice of flowers away from the counter and so a sofa is now positioned beside the authentic fireplace in the shop” says Lain’e.

A total renovation was also carried out on a storage building at the back of the shop and it was turned into an office which Bunches and Bows accountants are now based from.

An extension has also been built to give us a much needed second work room and our flower school which is located in the space above the shop has proved very popular!  The shop front is also having a slight facelift and repairs carried out after a lorry caused damage to it!!

Once we have finished we will be inviting the many people who have requested a look around to give us their verdict!!