Member Article

Kenilworth florist The Orangery opens Christmas pop-up shop

A Kenilworth florist has expanded by opening a Christmas pop-up shop – and is already attracting plenty of customers.

The Orangery has opened up a temporary shop in Talisman Shopping Centre where shoe shop Charles Ager used to be, which is just a stone’s throw from its main premises.

And the pop-up shop, which is selling a mix of Christmas decorations, festive flowers and interior pieces, is already proving popular with customers with many giving positive feedback to owner Gabrielle Parry.

She approached landlords Wareing & Co after the unit became free. They quickly agreed terms for her to move in on a temporary basis, and the shop was open within four days. She said: “This is the first time I’ve ever opened a pop-up shop, and so far it’s gone really well.

“I wasn’t sure whether we’d be able to do it, but Wareing & Co were very helpful and we were able to set everything up really quickly, which was fantastic.

“We’ve had the original Orangery shop for almost 12 years now and we’re often very busy around Christmas – so we’ve moved a lot of our Christmas stock into the pop-up shop. “It’s in a really nice position within Talisman Shopping Centre, and we’re seeing lots of customers come in already. It’ll be open until Christmas Eve, so we’d encourage visitors to come in and take a look.”

The shop’s exterior has been decorated with lights and flowers, giving it a festive appearance and brightening up Talisman Shopping Centre.

Bill Wareing of Wareing & Co felt having the unit occupied was a great way to encourage greater footfall in the run-up to Christmas.

He added: “While it is always a shame to see a business go, we felt it was important that the old Charles Ager unit was occupied before Christmas as it attract more people into the centre.

“This is not only good for the Orangery, but good for the rest of Talisman Shopping Centre too.

“And it’s great to hear that Gabrielle has already seen lots of customers visit the pop-up shop and purchase flowers and gifts in the short time it has been open.”

And Hugo Hawkings, chief executive of Discovery Properties – the developers of Talisman Shopping Centre – added: “I’m really pleased The Orangery’s pop-up shop is already doing well – it’s a great idea from Gabrielle to open one and I hope plenty of people pay it a visit.

“The decorations outside the shop will brighten up the square, and will only add to the lovely display of flowers and plants already there.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Matt Joyce .