21 Jul Why The Flower Studio is pick of the bunch
Why The Flower Studio is pick of the bunch
From creating bespoke displays for grand events to delivering a simple posy of beautiful flowers, The Flower Studio in Portchester will literally go the extra mile to help their customers – and have even been known to drive lost tourists to local beauty spots!
In the 33 years since they first opened, Iain and Jane Benham have built up a reputation for offering the best quality exotic and traditional flowers and count their friends in the local community as extended family.
“Good customer service is paramount,” says Jane. “Lots of older people love to come in for a chat and I love that. We had one elderly gentleman who came to us regularly for years, until he died aged 100. He watched our children grow up. It’s like an extended family – you get back what you put in.
“Even when we’re tired or the shop is closed, we go above and beyond to help people where we can. The other day a lady from Brighton called in as she was lost and wanted to find Portchester Castle – we put on our masks and hopped in the van, and I drove her there myself.”
The Flower Studio caters for everything from weddings, baby showers and funerals to delivering a simple bunch of flowers. They also carry a wide range of gifts including vases, ceramics, chocolates, Jellycat soft toys, and St Eval candles.
Iain and Jane opened The Flower Studio in 1989, giving them an opportunity to showcase their flair for modern and traditional design.
Iain holds the Level 4 Higher Diploma of Floristry, which recognises ambitious florists who have reached the highest professional standard.
He loves to create bespoke pieces and has worked with many of the country’s leading florists and interior designers.
“We really do love what we do,” says Jane. “I feel so privileged and can’t think of anything better. It’s an honour to create beautiful things for our customers.
Jane and Iain were grateful that, as a husband-and-wife team, they were able to continue working during the 2020 lockdown, delivering flowers and creating their beautiful arrangements for very emotional events.
“We were able to be here for people when they needed us the most. We had lots of people in tears when we told them we could help them prepare for funerals for loved ones they hadn’t been able to say goodbye to in person.
“Campaigns like this are so important to remind people to support local. We cannot thank our lovely customers enough for staying loyal. Without them we wouldn’t be here.”
If you want to find out more about the Flower Studio, check out their socials here!