What are the flowers keeping Dudley people’s spirits up through the pandemic.

Ask Sarah Coburn, whose florist business is absolutely blooming because of it.

Every cloud has a silver lining, and coronavrirus has brought the sweet smell of success to Sarah’s business, Petals and Potts (her maiden name).

The 31-year-old from Upper Gornal trained at Dudley College and was working in a florist’s shop in Wednesbury when her first daughter Tilly came along 8 years ago.

Sarah took the decision to set up her own florist business working from home and it went well.

But when the lockdown came the business really took off.

As florist shops on the high street closed Sarah was able to carry on, with the help of husband Craig, all masked up to do Covid-safe deliveries after coming home from work.

Suddenly Sarah was being asked to do 20-25 orders a day, 50 at weekends. Hard work while also looking after Tilly and her little brother Joel, 3.

“It meant two hours cleaning up every day,” said Sarah.

In five months Sarah went from 100 customers to over 1,000.

And now, despite future lockdown threats, she has opened her own shop on Dudley Road, where business is currently doing very well after her first week’s trading.

Working from the shop has helped her pick up passing trade. And if there is another lockdown Sarah has plenty of experience of how to survive it.

But what people’s top flower picks during Covid?

1, Lillies (long lasting and a strong smell)

2, Blooms

3, Gerbars

4, Lisianthus

5, Blue Roses (in mixed bunches)

6, Little £5 bunches are going well with passers by as people take a little treat home to raise the mood.

  • The Dudley News has launched its Love Local Business campaign to support local businesses through the current pandemic. Any business wanting to be featured in the News Group campaign, call 01905742372 or email dale.godliman@localiq.co.uk.