Tripling bills haven't stopped Ipswich florist feeling optimistic about the future
Emma's Florist in Ipswich has officially been running for 20 years.
Last updated 31st Jul 2023
' I felt like I failed'
Emma told us about the struggles she has faced keeping the businesses going over the last few years.
Like many other businesses, she had to close one of her shops after covid. Without the footfall and sales they were getting before the pandemic hit, they couldn't afford to keep it running.
But even with one shop, she found it difficult and had to cut back staff hours to keep things going as well as purchasing things on the credit card, which they wouldn't have previously done.
Since then, they have noticed footfall is still not the same. Emma believes this is because many of the shops have closed in Ipswich and so people have less need to visit anymore.
"The support from local customers was vital."
Like everyone Emma has felt the cost of living crisis's fingers slip into her purse.
"It's been a right struggle. Our rent doubled and my water bill has tripled and my electricity has tripled as well. So my costs within the shop are just ridiculous.
"And for the actual flowers coming over, it's a lot more expensive now.
"We should get things probably half the price of what they are now.
"Obviously we've had all the EU stuff. So we're now there's taxes and different fees. The prices are flowers have gone up as well.
"We try to keep it as much as we can, as low as the prices that we can, but they have risen a little bit."
Despite this Emma is still sending out lots of gifts for birthdays, and anniversaries and they're doing lots of weddings at the moment too.
Emma told us the loyalty of her customers has been amazing and truly helped them through the difficult moments.
"We have got amazing customers that support us literally from day one all the way through.
"And they know us, they know that we're not gonna rip them off. We are an established business that will go the extra mile for them. So for us, it was always making sure that our customers are happy."
What support she would like to see
The funding from the government during the pandemic has stopped and bills are another issue entirely, we asked Emma what would help them at the moment.
"I think it's just the government keeping in touch with us, not necessarily money-wise, but, just keeping up to date of what's going on... Give us a heads-up."