The Bloom Room in Millom has been shortlisted for the British Florist Association (BFA) Retail Florist Of The Year 2024.

Recognised by the Good Florist Guide as one of the UKs leading florists, The Bloom Room has become synonymous with ‘quality and passion’ in floral design.

Nicola Armstrong, founder and head designer of the shop, on St George's Terrace, opened her business in 2012.

After graduating from the University ofCumbria with a degree in art, locally born Nicola decided to open a florist.

Nicola’s background in the arts has ‘set her apart’ in floristry and gained her a reputation for bespoke creations, she said.

Since its establishment 12 years ago, it has ‘blossomed’ into a successful business – seeing Nicola work alongside global brands and high-end clients in exclusive venues up and down the country.

In particular, she has received recognition for her bespoke tribute work, creating floral masterpieces for individual clients.

Nicola’s attention to detail has seen her floral creations showcased in the UK’s leading floral art magazine The Flower Arranger.

Most recently she won the BFA of Retail Florist of the Year 2022 and has been selected to represent the industry-leading brand - Oasis Floral Products.

Nicola said: “Having been crowned Retail Florist of the Year 2022 I feel so much more pressure going into the competition as a previous winner. I feel like it now comes with an expectation. However, since winning, my tiny business has managed to achieve some amazing things and gain some amazing recognition.

“I’m up against the counties best, many with much bigger business than mine so to be able to take my small business to this level is an achievement I’m extremely, nervously, grateful for.”

Public voting is now live until September 1. The finalists will be announced on September 6 before the winner is declared at an award evening in Nottingham on September 28.

The BFA has also asked Nicola to host a demonstration at the FleurEx event that will take place over the two days surrounding the award ceremony.

In a post on social media, The Bloom Room said: “We smashed the occasion in 2022 bringing the title back to our little town and although feeling more pressure going into this as a previous winner it would mean the world and more to become a two-time champion!

“I’ve submitted my part of the application to get us to this stage and my fate is now in your hands.

“Please please please share this post and follow the link to show your support and cast your vote for The Bloom Room.

https://zealous.co/.../oppo.../Retail-Florist-of-the-Year-1/

“We’ve done this before… can we as a community pull together and do this again?

“Forever grateful of your support, a very nervous Nicola.”