Grand Designs
ROD WEBB talks to Becca Gibb about how she became a florist
After school, some people continue their education through college and university; others prefer the school of life. Becca chose the latter, and, sitting in her beautiful flower shop, Forage & Fleur, you certainly sense that she learned a great deal while working as a visual merchandiser (window dresser) in London’s Oxford Street for over a decade.
Becca outside her shop
Having realised that her real passion was floristry, Becca found work at “a wonderful florist’s” in Tunbridge Wells which she says taught her everything during her three years there – well, apart from the freelance work that helped her develop her own style. That style was partly influenced by Becca’s love of nature and dislike of waste, which she’d noticed during her time in the industry. She wanted to avoid tradition and go for more “wild and natural” displays.
Starting her own business, she rented a site in Eridge near Tunbridge Wells, “in the middle of nowhere”. It was a way of testing the waters, but with a knack for making the right decisions, the site was next to the popular Deer Park Café – what better than to buy some plants or a beautiful bouquet from Becca’s converted caravan after a satisfying trip into the countryside?
Although this was a great success, it was just Becca’s first step in realising her dream. Three years ago, she chose to set up shop in St Leonards, inspired by a beautiful florist’s in Paris which combined flowers and coffee. Having seen that 141 London Road… was available to rent, she fell in love with the building and felt this might be where it could happen. Disappointingly, her first visit revealed a dark and dingy shop interior with boarded-up back windows, but with the help of the landlord, it was quickly transformed into the perfect blank canvas for visual display.
Over the three years since opening, Becca has experimented with a variety of configurations – and co-workers – before settling on what could be the final layout; this incorporates not only the café area, but also a hairdresser and an outlet for a local artist. The whole effect is a visual feast, bursting with things to look at while retaining a great sense of tranquillity. In fact, Becca says that some people come in just to soak up the surroundings – before sometimes going on to have coffee or buy something. But ‘there is also a sense of quiet industry, especially when hairdresser Jamie McCormick is at work (rather than up in London styling for magazine photoshoots).
Despite being out of the main shopping area of St Leonards, the shop is busy, and business has mainly grown by word of mouth. Naturally, Becca also creates eye-catching window displays which attract customers, not only people walking past, but those passing in cars.
But what of the flowers themselves? As part of her no-waste policy, Becca specialises in cut flowers that can be dried easily so they can be kept longer, as well as creating her own dried flower bouquets. And, in order not to compete with a nearby plant retailer, she specialises in more unusual varieties, curating selections she feels will appeal to her customers. If you just visit the shop and have a coffee, the plants and flowers speak for themselves. As one happy customer said: “So often, flowers are generic and not always fresh, but Becca’s arrangements are unique, natural pieces of art – a really lovely gift if you want someone to feel special.”
They say it takes three years to establish a successful business, and Becca is happy she has hit that mark – with both the shop and online business doing well. But, in this town, the real measure of success is whether your business is something you love doing. As Becca sums it up: “Flowers, coffee, hair. A wonderful combination.”
For more information go to forageandfleur.com or alternatively ring Becca on 01424 431294.
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