IT IS the end of an era as celebrated Weymouth town centre florist Fiona Penny announced she would be closing her shop after 30 years.

The iconic Sunflowers shop on St Thomas Street will close for good this Friday - but the business will continue to operate from Fiona's home studio in Weymouth.

The florist has brightened up the town centre since the early 1990s and has built a reputation as a recognisable local 'brand' - having first started out after the owner of a former fruit and veg shop, Hewlits, asked her to run a florist as part of his town centre business. She later bought the shop and her floristry skills blossomed.

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Today, Fiona said she is sad to be leaving the high street - but insists her business will still have a visible presence in the community, and encourages customers to pick up the phone for a chat.

"Flowers are my life and my inspiration and I have enjoyed being part of the high street for the past 30 years," she said.

"However passing trade has declined, the way people shop has changed with the pandemic, and things are becoming more and more challenging.

"Relocating the business has been a consideration for some time and the pandemic has accelerated this - a significant amount of our business now comes from telephone, internet sales and contract work.

"Our van will still be seen bringing happiness and smiles; our contact details remain the same, only our high street presence is changing.

"I'm very sad to be leaving but excited for a change of direction."

Mrs Penny said she will miss the 'chit-chat' of face-to-face interaction with customers but that the new direction will enable the business to explore new avenues, such as tutorials.

"I still like the good old-fashioned service of a telephone call and to chat to my customers personally," she added.

Highlight memories over the years include providing flowers to the Queen and Princess Anne during Royal visits, as well as during the sailing events for the Olympics.

Her floral arrangements have graced high profile events and weddings including at Highclere Castle, location of the Downton Abbey series.

She said locals and holiday makers would visit just for a chat and to see 'Tiny Tim' - a wild bird who would regularly visit the shop.

Thanking customers and staff, she said: "We've employed some fabulous staff over the years and provided work placements with the local college. I'd like to say a huge, huge 'thank you' to all our supporters - we wouldn't exist without you.

"I'm going to leave here on Saturday and it will be a really sad day - I know I'm going to cry - I have enjoyed the hustle and bustle of people coming in.

"People come past and say 'you're the only thing in the street that makes a big show' - I have loved creating outdoor display, following themes in the town such as festivals and Christmas.

"I do feel a bit guilty and hope the high street will bounce back over the next couple of years. I've been here a long time - there was a point recently when I was wondering whether to get a different job, but flowers are my world.

"It's the end of an era but we're going on to bright things as well."