September 21, 2020 2.18 pm This story is over 42 months old

High Street florist opens new houseplant room

An indoor jungle in Lincoln city centre

By Local Democracy Reporter

A local family-run florist that has traded on Lincoln High Street for over 50 years has now opened a new indoor plant room.

Sykes Florist is tucked away in the heart of Lincoln’s High Street, close to Speaker’s Corner and Cornhill.

The Sykes family has been trading flowers in Lincolnshire for more than 100 years, with the shop being open for over half a century.

Now, with the addition of a new plant room upstairs, owner Emma Sykes is hoping to attract more customers.

The shop can be found next to Holland & Barrett on the High Street. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Sykes Florist’s alley towards the main entrance is like a jungle. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Emma told The Lincolnite: “We were planning and hoping to have the plant room ready before we went into lockdown, but those circumstances changed everything.

“It’s exciting to now finally have it open and provide more option for people who are looking for an indoor plant.”

The new indoor houseplant room has a wide variety available. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Skyes Florist reopened in June after lockdown was lifted on non-essential shopping, which gave the family time to prepare the new room.

The jungle setting of the room fits in well with the alleyway leading up to the shop entrance, which is covered wall to wall with outdoor plants.

Perfect place to find your newest home addition. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Emma described the layout of the shop as “unusual” but says the reaction to the new room and business as a whole has been great.

“It’s been so amazing to see people’s support for local businesses during this time.

“We reopened the store as soon as we could to be able to pay the bills and get by, we are so thankful for the support of our customers.”

Downstairs has other accessories on offer other than plants. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Regular COVID-19 protocols are in place at the shop, with the use of face covering compulsory and hand sanitising found at the entrance.

Sykes is open from 8am to 5pm six days a week, staying closed on Sundays.