Sandhurst-based florist Lady Flora is honoured to have been recognised for its excellence in the floristry industry, having won the Berkshire Florist of the Year accolade at the CorporateLiveWire South England Prestige Awards for the second consecutive year.
The double success, coming in the years 2020/21 and now 2021/22, are due recognition for a business that has been an integral part of the Sandhurst community in Berkshire since its establishment and that has thrived through changes in location and ownership.
A specialist in creating beautiful bespoke arrangements using the best flowers and foliage, for bouquets, hand ties, corporate arrangements, weddings and funerals, Lady Flora was originally founded in 1975 as part of the local Sandhurst Garden Centre. The company then downsized in the early 2000s and relocated to its current home on Sandhurst’s Yorktown Road.
The architect of Lady Flora’s latest successes is Anoma Jayawickrema, a proud Sri Lankan British woman who purchased the business in 2016 and has consolidated its reputation as a full-service florist.
From day one, Anoma was keen for the company to remain true to its roots and retained the services of the florist’s experienced female staff team. This very local philosophy has not only helped give rise to Lady Flora’s recent progress, but also enabled Anoma to learn more about the importance of creativity in entrepreneurship and seen the business become a shining light for aspiring female leaders.
While on both occasions the Prestige Awards judges were impressed by Anoma’s innovations and wide-ranging business and charitable interests, the panel was also taken aback by how Lady Flora continued to grow and thrive despite the immense challenge of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Anoma and her team stayed open during the various phases of the pandemic, sometimes behind closed doors only taking online and phone orders for delivery. Their determination to stay open paid off as they found that sales increased during the pandemic due to other local florists closing and due to the public demand to send a gift at a time when it was hard to show love otherwise.
The team also explored several new ideas such as releasing a home fragrance range with floral overtones to help promote the Lady Flora brand further.
In addition, Anoma came up with the idea of a Lady-Flora-by-Post flower range and a flower subscription service that includes weekly, fortnightly and monthly deliveries, incorporating the florist’s latest selections.
Following the double award win, Anoma told The Leaders Council: “It’s an incredible honour to be recognised with the same award in back-to-back years. Being a double award winner at the Prestige Awards is very rare and I have to say congratulations to all in our talented and dedicated team. This would not have been possible without them!”
In spite of its triumphs in the industry of late, Lady Flora has no intention of resting on its laurels as a business following its successes, with Anoma and her team now eyeing up the prospect of expanding the company to ensure the florist continues to stamp its mark on the sector.
Anoma said: “We cannot say too much about our future plans at this stage, but it is certainly an exciting time for Lady Flora. Watch this space!”
Image provided by Prestige Awards
