It’s 20 years since Sonning Flowers opened for business in Reading town centre. Now the team of 12 is based in a countryside workshop in Kingsclere, just outside Newbury next to Growing Together, an amazing local charity grows flowers and vegetables, and a forest school.
For owner Heather Reilly it was a journey that started after a week’s work experience at a local florist. Aged 14, she loved it from the moment she walked through the door and knew it was what she was destined to do.
From starting as a Saturday girl at Sonning Flowers 13 years ago, she achieved her level 4 City & Guilds Qualification in Floristry aged 19 and in 2018, became the proud owner of Sonning Flowers.
It’s been an adventure, but can anyone really prepare you for what owning and running a small business, especially a florist, involves? It’s been a rollercoaster not least during the pandemic as Heather explains:
“Like so many shops we had to close the doors and many weddings and events were postponed. But our website became our shop front and our gift bouquet ranges flourished and it’s without a doubt why we are still standing today. I will never be able to thank our loyal customers for the continuing support they gave us and still give us.”
When it comes to eco credentials, Sonning are, like so many florists, making sure they do everything they can to do the right thing and when it comes to funerals have adopted a 3-leaf system so that customers choose the design that suits them.
One leaf shows the product is made using biodegradable foam and recyclable plastics as standard. Two leaves show products made using Agra Wool – a material made from renewable materials – and a compostable base, whilst three leaves show the product is completely floral foam and plastic free.
And along with the weddings that have made Sonning an Award-winning team … they took the crown in the National Wedding Awards back in 2022 … they provide corporate flowers to business across the South and regularly run lots of flower workshops … oh yes and have worked on prestigious events like the Chelsea Flower Show too.
But as Heather says “None of it would be possible without the support and loyalty of all of our customers, wedding couples and her fantastic team. Thank you so much for supporting us and cheers to the next 20 years!”
