Florist returns to market decades after working on dad's stall

A florist who spent her childhood helping out on her dad's stall at Accrington Market is returning more than 40 years later with her own business.

Lorraine Johnson, owner of Le Rainflorist, will bring her popular flower business to the newly renovated Accrington Market when it reopens this November.

Lorraine, who grew up in Accrington, has fond memories of spending her school holidays working alongside her dad on his net curtain stall at the market during the 1980s.

His stall was located next to Smiths Fresh Produce, which is also set to move into the newly renovated market this November.

Having spent the past 15 years trading at Blackburn Market, Lorraine is now expanding her business with a new stall in her hometown.

Lorraine said: "I grew up in Accrington, and my dad had a stall on Accrington Market back in the 80s, so I spent a lot of my school holidays there. I've got so many memories of the market and I've always loved Accrington. A lot of my customers already travel from Accrington to Blackburn, so it'll be lovely to bring the business closer to them. To now be coming back with my own expanded business is really exciting and I just can't wait for the reopening."

Le Rainflorist will bring a wide selection of fresh and artificial flowers to Accrington Market, including colourful bouquets, country style arrangements and flowers decorated with glitter and diamantes.

The business receives fresh flower deliveries from Holland every day, with flowers kept refrigerated to maintain their freshness and quality.

Customers will also be able to choose from a wide variety of roses, including red, pink, white and blue, with Lorraine particularly proud of the size and quality of the roses on offer.

Lorraine said: "We've got such a huge range of flowers and arrangements, and I don't think there's anyone locally that stocks as much of this stuff as we do. We have everything from beautiful fresh flowers to artificial arrangements, and there's so much choice for customers."

The move to Accrington will also see Le Rainflorist expand beyond flowers, with a new range of sweets, including pick and mix and gifts combining flowers and sweets.

The stall will have a rustic, natural look, while a spectacular Christmas range will also be available when the market reopens in November.

When asked about her favourite flower, Lorraine said: "It depends on the season really. In winter there are some lovely roses about, especially the big red roses, but I do love an orchid."

Cllr Clare Pritchard, Hyndburn Council's portfolio holder for transformation and town centres, said: "It's fantastic to welcome another exciting business to Accrington Market, and Lorraine's story makes this one particularly special. From spending her childhood on her dad's stall to now returning with her own business, it's lovely to see that connection with the market continuing. Flowers are something people buy every day, so it's great to have such a fantastic range available at Accrington Market."