Jamie’s a flower of strength to sad townsfolk

In a bid to raise spirits, Jamie McKenzie, owner of Flowers By McKenzie in Roxburgh Street, has deposited random bouquets around the town for people to collect.

Jamie, 29, said: “I called the bouquets ‘lonely arrangements’ and they were an attempt to spread a little joy. Each bouquet had the message ‘keep cheerful, keep smiling and keep safe’.

Despite the ongoing pandemic business has been blooming for Jamie since he launched his venture in July last year.

With so many other firms struggling to cope with the restrictions and regulations, the business, which also employs Caroline Burgess-Blake and Ange Blake, has thrived.

Jamie has almost two decade in the trade, catching the floral bug at the age of nine while sweeping the floor at Sunflowers in Duns.

He said: “People are sending flowers to cheer people up and business has been good, although the restrictions have made it tougher because we have had to up our game on how we deliver the flowers and how they get delivered to us from Holland. We get calls from people saying they are sending flowers to brighten up somebody’s day, that’s a big factor.

“I can see the business thriving with the support of local people, which has been wonderful. I am even getting people from France calling me for flower orders, it’s unbelievable.

“At first, when it was announced we could do click and collect we put a whole procedure in place where people would have to phone me first and then people would knock on the door and we would put the flowers outside, and I’d lock the door and they would take them away.

“But now, with it being delivery only, people can phone or order online and we put the flowers on their front door mat, ring the bell and step three metres back so we are always away from the client. We all feel safe.”