Business has blossomed since a florist opened down a tiny alleyway in a town centre three years ago.

So much so that the owners of D & G Florist have now decided to move into the much bigger former Greggs bakery in Strood High Street.

The new shop opened today and will include a cafe and classroom where budding flower arrangers will be taught skills first-hand from Frankie Davison who has more than 27 years experience.

Frankie, who runs the buisiness with partner Garry, will be keeping on their unit in Tollgate Lane as a pop-up for busy times like Christmas and Halloween.

Greggs closed three years ago and the new premises is five times bigger, opening seven days a week.

There’s a delivery service in Strood and the Medway area.

Before moving to Medway, the couple ran the Flower Pot in Gravesend for 15 years, but took time out after adopting three children.

Frankie’s love of flowers and plants stems from the age of three when he used to go with his dad to Covent Garden where he worked,

He said: “I wasn’t that bright at school and when I left my dad got me a job in a flower shop in Bexleyheath where I started my training.”

Frankie, 46, went on to work in London, including hotels to gain as much experience as possible..

He said trade was flourishing despite the cost of living crisis which has hit hard on people’s pockets.

The florist said: “Flowers have that feel-good factor, brightening up the day especially after a long cold winter.

“They bring joy on happy occasions and at funerals they are a nice way to say goodbye.”

He added:” We have been busy since lockdown.

“It used to be more of an older generation people thing. But now we get more young people who have enjoyed being in their garden and having plants around the house.”

Flowers are bought online as they are now too busy to make the early morning trek to wholesalers in London.

Frankie said: “We use British flowers and import from Holland, Columbia and Ecuador, to ensure we have a good variety all year round.”

He will be starting up his Lunch and Bunch florestry workshops in a newly refurbished classroom upstairs. Up until now he has held the popular sessions, which cost £40 and include lunch, in nearby pubs.

At the front of the shop is a cafe offering customers coffee and cakes.

Frankie and Garry, 36, a college lecturer, are looking forward to opening up in the town centre, just a minute away from their previous outlet in the alley.

The couple and their three children,Sharna,18, Mazie, 12 and Kingsley, nine live in Wainscott.