People are ‘as romantic as ever’, Liverpool florist of 40 years says

A woman who has run a florist in Liverpool for more than 40 years has said her customers are “as romantic as ever”.

Lill, who runs Garston Garden Centre, known locally as Lill’s Flower Shop, said Valentine’s Day was one of the busiest times of the year, second only to Mother’s Day.

She said while floral fashions had changed over the years, one thing remained the same; some people left it until the last minute.

“We have a sign in the window that says ‘If you don’t remember, she won’t forget’,” her colleague Bill joked.

Lill has had the flower shop on St Mary’s Road since first starting working at the Garston Garden Centre 41 years ago with her late husband.

“I am the longest existing business that’s been in this road,” she said. “Everyone knows us.”

She said floral displays were now more varied than ever thanks to the improvements in materials.

“There is a lot more choice now and things have got easier to make up,” she said.

“For example if you’re doing funeral work or Christmas wreaths, the work that used to go to in them years ago was unbelievable, but now it is a lot easier because the materials are better.”

She said her Valentine’s Day customers ranged from young people to older couples who had been married for decades.

“It’s still their special day,” she told BBC Radio Merseyside.

“Garson is a lovely community, we know everybody round here,” Bill said.

But he said some men were “always last minute”, adding: “They come in at 5pm on Valentines Day, just as we are closing.”

He recommended getting orders in early to avoid disappointment.