The Leader is putting the spotlight on local independent traders and high street heroes across Wrexham and Flintshire.

If you know of or are a business that goes above and beyond, we want to hear from you, and celebrate our local independent traders and high street heroes. Email claire.pierce@newsquest.co.uk for more details.

REGENT HOUSE OF FLOWERS, Wrexham

We spoke to Laura Evison about her floristry business.

How long has the business been running?

Fourteen years with me but 73 years in the town centre. We are a florist and we deliver floral arrangements and bouquets, covering funeral orders, weddings, just about any occasion.

What is your most memorable or proudest moment in business?

When I took over the business in 2006. I have actually been here since leaving school at 16-years-old, so overall I've been here over 30 years.

To be able to just be here to continue serving the local community and give them a business that is reliable - quality and affordable is my main goal. People come into our shop as customers and leave as friends.

I've had the opportunity to be on TV with the 'lonely bouquets' (where people make a bouquet, attach a 'take me' tag, and leave it for a stranger to find to brighten their day). And I also last year completed a 30-mile swim for Hope House Hospice to mark my 30th year with Regent House of Flowers.

We've had lovely local support through covid, which enforces the determination to keep going and giving Wrexham a florist they can be proud of.

The Leader:

Above: The team, Natalie, Harriett, Laura and Jess, one of the more unusual floral tribute requests and Laura’s daughter Harriett.

Any strange requests or stories from customers?

There would be too many to mention!! Every day we have a new experience on items to make up, or requests to deliver. We have so many heart-warming stories when people receive their flowers and how sometimes they make so much difference to their day. And we see families grieving and are able to help support them too.

From babies being born, to men wanting to woo their ladies, it's a different day every day.

Anything else we should know?

I would like to thank my daughter. Harriett is only 16 and had to leave school early with the stress of no exams, we both ran the shop over lockdown for six weeks, before my staff came back from furlough.

She was there seven days a week from 8am-5pm in the shop and sometimes more , and I am so proud of her. My staff Natalie, Ron and Jess are also equally amazing with their support and understanding with new ways to work etc.

Without my amazing team, my shop would not have continued and I am so proud of them all.

• Regent House of Flowers

13 Yorke Street

Wrexham

01978 357356

www.regenthouseofflowers.co.uk