Rent hike forces florists to shut up shop after 65 years

3:00pm Saturday 9th March 2013 in News By Caitlin Marsh

Ena’s Florists has been running for 65 years and is now closing its doors for the final time as the rent has gone up and boss Mel Smith, pictured, can no longer run it Ena’s Florists has been running for 65 years and is now closing its doors for the final time as the rent has gone up and boss Mel Smith, pictured, can no longer run it

A FLOWER shop in Westbourne, which has been open for more than 65 years, will close its doors for the final time this Sunday.

Mel Smith, who owns Ena’s Florists, on Seamoor Road, says that the rent and rates have become too high for her to afford to stay in business.

She is now looking into other lines of work, after running Ena’s for more than five years, and the shop will stay on the market awaiting new ownership.

Mel, who is also president of Westbourne Traders’ Association, said: “It was started by two ladies, both named Ena, in Westbourne arcade, and then when they had an argument, it moved to where it is now.”

She added: “It wasn’t on the market when I bought it, but I’d looked at shops in Poole and Devon and Cornwall, after moving from London, and nowhere quite appealed as much.

“I thought that it was modern, bright and breezy, and I loved it in Westbourne.

“It’s been an experience running Ena’s, but also quite challenging, so I would love for it to stay as a florists, but we shall have to wait and see.

“I’ve learnt an awful lot in my time here, but now it’s exciting to see what happens next.”

Cllr Barry Goldbart, ward councillor for Westbourne and West Cliff, said: “I’m really sorry to hear that Ena’s is closing. It is a very professional company and will be greatly missed in the area.

“There is no doubt that we’re in a really difficult financial time in this country and some businesses seem to be able to survive and some don’t.

“But there have been lots of new businesses that have opened in and around Westbourne recently so I don’t think this is indicative of a major problem in Westbourne.”

Comments(10)

Hessenford says...
3:27pm Sat 9 Mar 13

Should have gone to Cornwall.

Report this post »

Lord Spring says...
3:43pm Sat 9 Mar 13

These landlords are brilliant increase the rent and get nought in the end. .

Report this post »

burgerboy says...
3:47pm Sat 9 Mar 13

Can see how hard up see is,look at the state of those old jeans with a hole in the knee.(;o).

Report this post »

portia6 says...
6:13pm Sat 9 Mar 13

Hole in one? Ha ha ha that's flower
power!

Report this post »

Phixer says...
5:30am Sun 10 Mar 13

portia6 wrote:
Hole in one? Ha ha ha that's flower
power!
I doubt that Mel will think it funny that you are mocking someone losing their livelihood.

Report this post »

boscombewizard says...
8:47am Sun 10 Mar 13

It would help the story to state what the increase in rent and rates was. And who the landlord is. Neither should be hard to find. That would be better journalist. It is fairly typical of the Ohec though. It is always a shame when an Indeoendent shop closes.

Report this post »

goatty says...
10:58am Sun 10 Mar 13

Another multi national waiting in the wings I bet!
The rents went sky high in Westbourne after M&S moved in paying a massive rent. When the rent reviews are done for an area they take an average of what is the going rate. Therefore when multi nationals pay massive rents all the other shops suffer on rent reviews.

Report this post »

Hessenford says...
12:22pm Sun 10 Mar 13

boscombewizard wrote:
It would help the story to state what the increase in rent and rates was. And who the landlord is. Neither should be hard to find. That would be better journalist. It is fairly typical of the Ohec though. It is always a shame when an Indeoendent shop closes.
Whats an Ohec.

Report this post »

portia6 says...
6:38pm Sun 10 Mar 13

Phixer wrote:
portia6 wrote:
Hole in one? Ha ha ha that's flower
power!
I doubt that Mel will think it funny that you are mocking someone losing their livelihood.
With her experience I'm sure that
Mel will find another business to run
we can only wish her the best!

Report this post »

BmthNewshound says...
7:01pm Sun 10 Mar 13

Typical response from Goldbart. The majority of the shops in Westbourne are run as lifestyle businesses rather than to enable people to earn a living.
.
Rents in Westbourne are far higher than the area should command. Go into Winton or even Boscombe on a Saturday and both areas are busy. Go into Westbourne and its dead.
.

Report this post »

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree