Kilmarnock flower shop wins top prize at major awards ceremony

Flowers by Karen won UK Retail Florist of the Year at the British Florist Association Awards 2024.

The business was up against Bluebell and Ivy, Chelsea Flowers of Wilmslow, Helensburgh Flowers, The Bloom Room and The Rose Garden in the same category.

The category looks to honour the best retail florists that offer exceptional customer service, use the highest quality flowers and are exceptionally skilled.

Karen and the shop’s manager Amy travelled down to Nottingham for the awards. (Image: Flowers by Karen) The awards were given out on Saturday, September 28 at the East Midland Conference Centre in Nottingham, which Karen and shop manager Amy travelled down to for the weekend.

Karen’s business previously won the same award back in 2019 and has also been named Best Florist at the Scottish Funeral Awards twice, as well as winning other regional awards over the years.

She said: “You never think you’re going to win; you always doubt yourself don’t you. I knew we had done enough to certainly be in the final, we put ourselves out there this year and done loads of different things throughout the industry and tried really hard to be at the forefront of things.

“You just never know, so we were delighted when the name got read out. We won it in 2019 and then covid hit so we didn’t really get to capitalise on it.

“We’ve done loads and loads in the industry this year so it’s great to be acknowledged for what we’ve done.”

The award now sits on display in the middle of the shop’s counter so that everyone can see it.

After winning the award, the business has been overwhelmed with people sending them cards, calling and stopping by the shop to congratulate them.

The business has plans for the future, with Karen eyeing up demonstrations, attending flower shows down south, and working on installations.