The flexible and friendly approach of the Development Bank meant that we got the exact amount that we needed, when we needed it so we’re now up and running in our new premises and we couldn’t be happier.
John Sartain, Director, John Henry Flowers
Business overview
John Henry Flowers provides flowers for all occasions such as weddings and funerals, alongside working with corporate customers to dress events.
Established in July 2021, the Cardiff-based company offers floral bouquets from the shop which includes customer bouquets and arrangements, bouquets and arrangements ready to go, plants, decorative pots, vases and accessories.
Founders
John Sartain and Michael Webb - The business is run by married couple John and Michael, who provide an extensive range of flowers and plants to their customers. John has over 30 years’ experience as a florist and has provided work for Madam Tussaud's.
Working with us
John Henry Flowers’ first year of trading was successful, and an increase in demand for house plants, decorative pots, vases and accessories meant that the business required additional space.
Their current landlord had a larger property to let out on the other side of Wellfield Court, which provided more space and was located in a good position where the business could take advantage of a larger shop front with more passing trade. To make the move happen, John Henry Flowers approached us for funding.
Funding
With business booming for the popular florist business, we provided a £15,000 loan to help John Henry Flowers to relocate to Unit 10, Wellfield Court, Cardiff. The funding would go towards the fit-out of the shop, including signage, new shelving, new flooring and internal painting, and give the business some extra working capital.
What people are saying
Small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy so we’re working hard to provide loans that help business owners to take advantage of new opportunities and ease cashflow. John and Michael have done a great job fitting out their new shop and now have the physical and financial space to grow.
Donna Strohmeyer, Investment Executive, Development Bank of Wales
We did the sums and quickly established that we needed £15,000 to fund the fit-out and give us some extra working capital to buy more stock and pay the higher rent. That might not seem like a lot of money to some business owners, but for us, we knew it would make all the difference by paying for the move and giving us room to grow. The flexible and friendly approach of the Development Bank meant that we got the exact amount that we needed, when we needed it so we’re now up and running in our new premises and we couldn’t be happier.
John Sartain, Director, John Henry Flowers
