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It is never too late to establish new roots. Just ask Ramsbottom's Amy Yates who has sown the seeds of a new business. Amy, 34, has just started her florist business, The Velvet Stem, providing traditional gift bouquets as well as creating eye-catching installations after finally taking the plunge to do what she had always loved.
Amy, who still works full time in public services decided to take a floristry course at the start of the year, training with Frog Manchester, which is known for their big displays in businesses around Manchester, and also Joseph Massie’s UK School of Floristry a five-time Chelsea Flower Show gold medal winner. Read more: The Fusilier Museum in Bury to receive share of Arts Council funding Amy said: “I’ve always loved the florist in Ramsbottom, and I’ve always gone to them. “But I just thought it’s something I’ve always loved and something I’ve always wanted to do for ages, but I’ve just never done the training.
“I went down a completely different career path, but then I thought I’m 34 now, what are you waiting for.” Read more: Teacher helping to organise run in aid of Bury Hospice after break-in She is currently running the business from home until it becomes more established. Amy added: “I’ve had so many people reach out and the community is lovely round here and everyone has been really supportive.
“It feels like everyone is quite excited about the business, there are obviously florists in the area who are quite well established, but I did feel like there was a bit of a gap where I can lean towards events as well as gift bouquets. Read more: Midwife who helps in Ukraine shares mood in war-torn country “I feel there was a bit of a gap in the market where if someone wants a doorway or a window doing. Amy said that she’s keen to do a lot of community projects in the area too.
There is a social enterprise in London called The Flower Bank and they reuse flowers that have been used for corporate events to put on floristry classes for people who have dementia and other illnesses that Amy hopes to one day bring to the community. She’s also speaking to some local businesses about hosting masterclasses around Easter and Mother’s Day too..
