A QUALIFIED florist is using her expertise to help a milkshake shop in Oswestry branch out.

Gemma Isherwood, who runs Shlurp! in Church Street with her husband Mike Isherwood, has added a separate side to the business by starting up a flower shop inside the premises.

Shlurp! will continue operating out of the building, but Gemma will be providing dried silk and fresh flower assortments, providing services for weddings, christenings and other events.

She is looking forward to getting back to using her skills as a florist once again.

“I’ve been a florist for more than 20 years and I used to have a flower shop in Chirk,” Gemma said.

“After having a family, the job became quite hard to juggle when my children were younger, especially when I was doing weddings and funerals as it was quite full-on.

“Now my children are grown up and more independent, I thought during lockdown it would be good to use the space we have in Shlurp! to make the most of the place.

“I have the skills as a qualified florist, so I thought I may as well give it a shot.”

When Shlurp! reopened its doors after the most recent lockdown restrictions were lifted, Gemma started working on the florist side of the business after thinking of ways to make use of the space inside the building.

She has been pleased with the way things have been going since then.

“I think lots of shops have diversified in adding different aspects to what they do, and we’re no different in that sense,” she said.

“We have had the florist side of things since we reopened and it’s been going really well actually.

“We have a few weddings booked and a christening, so that’s definitely helping.

“My daughter is expecting a baby, but once she is ready to after that, I am going to employ her and she’s going to work here with me which will be nice.”