French-inspired florists blossoms in Greenfield

WHEN PHIL Clarke said it with flowers for wife Pauline, Greenfield’s newest business woman got more than a bunch of blooms as she received her own florists.

‘La Fleuriste des Champs Vert’ on Chew Valley Road is now open for business, adding a Gallic flavour to the Greenfield economy.

And it could be the start of a new society for the community as entrepreneurs look to breathe new life into the village, proving there can be retail life alongside Tesco.

The Saddleworth Independent reported in June how another florist, Caroline Metcalfe, is converting the old toilet block and bus shelter on Manchester Road into a café.

There’s certainly more to former accountant Pauline’s flower shop than might be first apparent.

If you fancy Beaujolais with your bouquet or Champagne with the carnations then head to ‘La Fleuriste des Champs Vert’.

Former Grotton resident Pauline has applied for an alcohol licence but won’t be opening as a wine bar.

“I never really settled but I lived in France for six years which is how the name and concept came about,” she said explaining the wine and roses combination.

“I went to night school to do floristry and then obtained my diploma. I had been looking for a shop for a while and have always loved Greenfield.

“The premises came up for sale and one day my husband came home and said: ‘I’ve bought you a shop.’”

Pauline is under no illusions how tough it can be for local shops though, especially with a superstore on the doorstep.

But she is optimistic about the future, offering personal expertise to go with a customer service with a difference.

“I can’t survive just as a florist so everything in the shop is for sale,” she revealed. “My husband says even me but he was joking – I think.

“I’ve got items at 50pence to hundreds of pounds from cards to balloons, even furniture. And the alcohol licence will allow me to sell as well as serve wine.

“In the future I’d like also to offer a French style deli for the customers.

“I love my work and coming to work. Hopefully, people in Greenfield will support what I am trying to offer.”