A businesswoman is opening her own florist's shop focusing on British flowers and sustainability.

Emma Louise Reeve, 35, from Tiptree was inspired to start her floristry career to follow in her grandmother’s footsteps.

Beryl Ashwell was diagnosed with cancer in March last year and as a retired florist, she wanted to teach Emma everything she knew about the trade.

Ms Ashwell died in October last year and with her knowledge, Emma will be opening her own florist, The Flower Collective at Tom's Farm Shop in Maldon Road.

Mrs Reeve said: “I’ve only been in business for six months and I’ve done four weddings and now I’m opening a shop.

“I wish my nan could see how far I’ve come and I know she would be proud of me.

“My business has gone from strength to strength.”

Gazette: Emma's daughter Quincy Rose Reeve and husband Simon ReeveEmma's daughter Quincy Rose Reeve and husband Simon Reeve (Image: Emma Louise Reeve)

Before choosing to embark on her floristry career, Emma, who now lives in Colchester worked for Community 360. 

She said: ”Through Covid I fell pregnant with my now two-year-old and decided I didn’t want to go back into full time employment.

“I said to my husband sometimes you have to just go for what you want, and that’s what I did.”

The business is a British only florist, supporting flower farmers in the county and nationally.

Many of the flowers are supplied by Wivenhoe Flowers, The Floral Harvest, Oh Happy Dahlias and Evolve.

Gazette: Emma, 35, from Tiptree was inspired to start her floristry career to follow in her grandmother’s footstepsEmma, 35, from Tiptree was inspired to start her floristry career to follow in her grandmother’s footsteps (Image: Emma Louise Reeve)

Some are even homegrown.

Emma said: “I support the Grown Not Flown movement so I focus on British, seasonal flowers.

“We do a lot of recycling, it’s all about sustainability.”

She has plans to grow her own flowers at Tom's Farm Shop and she will be holding flower crown and wreath workshops at the shop.

She has plans to partner up with the Forget Me Not Tearooms to host workshops and will continue supplying flowers to the Stour Store in Manningtree and the Ewe Tree pub.

The shop is set to open on Saturday, February 11 at 9am.

For more information, visit The Flower Collective Facebook page.