Sowerby Bridge florist celebrates first year of trading despite lockdown

Cece said: “The RSPCA is close to my heart as I have always had animals in my life. Customers will be used to seeing my 13 year old Shih Tzu Millie in the shop but not many people might know that she was really poorly last year and she had to have a very expensive operation when I was out of work.

"The RSPCA were able to make a donation towards Millies operation and I will forever be grateful to them. During lock down the RSPCA lost vital donations and I want to be able to repay the favour now and do some fundraising for them.”

Cece is running a range of fundraisers and raffles on her Facebook page CeCe Blooms.

Rachel Oates, Host of the Sowerby Bridge Business Network where Cece attends, said: “Twenty per cent of businesses fail in their first year, so it would be a huge achievement in normal times, but to see Cece survive during lock down is fantastic.”

Cece puts her success down to the support of the local community and their values.

She said: “I’d like to thank all of my customers for supporting me and for shopping locally. I’ve had orders for the usual birthdays, anniversaries, and funerals, but it’s also nice to have been able to supply bouquets people have sent to say they are missing loved ones and to keep in touch.”