A MILLOM florist has won the prestigious Retail Florist of the Year award 2022.

The Bloom Room, located on St George's Terrace, was named as the winner of the award defeating several industry heavyweights across the UK.

Owned and operated by Nicola Armstrong, the business has enjoyed a successful ten-year tenure in the area and was honoured by the British Florist Association.

Nicola said: “So many people have come in and congratulated us. It was a massive award and the whole thing has blown my mind.

“I got nominated by someone in the industry and that is a pat on the back in itself, just getting nominated.

“To win the award you have to meet certain criteria before we made it into the Top 35.

“After that there is a public vote.

“I filled out an essay questionnaire that they send you. I banged my drum about it so much and I thought I couldn’t let people down after asking them to support me.

“I was scared at first and it had to be sent by twelve o’clock, and I submitted it at two minutes before the deadline. I thought I’d never win but I thought why not let’s go for it.

“Then I got an email saying I was down to the top thirteen which was incredible. I still didn’t think that I would win, more thought I would be just a bum on a seat at the ceremony which was held in Leicester. Then we won it.

“It’s been a massive, unexpected rollercoaster. I’ve been on cloud nine since it started and I don’t want to get off.

“I’m a one-man band in the shop but my family gives me so much support.

“I had two days of experience as a florist in Barrow, but we’ve hit ten years this August as a business.

“For the questionnaire, I gave honest answers which were all from the heart. Even one judge said that he hadn’t read an application that they wanted to win so much. They told me how happy they were that I won.

“I thought I’d never be able to compete against some of the other entries but since I asked people to vote for me, I couldn’t let them down.

“This means so much to me and I’d like to thank my husband Ian and everyone who has supported me.

“The business will never be the same after this.”

READ MORE: Barrow and Ulverston take home Cumbria in Bloom awards