A FLORIST has moved to larger premises in Corbridge and expanded the services it offers.

Watsonia Florists moved from its old location on 2 Front Street, on the corner of Corbridge Market Place to its new location at 12 Middle Street on March 27.

Sarah Evans took over the business two years ago when previous owner and founder Jo Watson died.

She said: "We just outgrew the small shop we had in the marketplace and Watsonia Florists had been there for over 20 years."

Hexham Courant: Watsonia Florists' new business premisesWatsonia Florists' new business premises (Image: Watsonia Florists)

Sarah said when the lease at Middle Street came up, she 'jumped at the chance' to take on the bigger space.

"It's just fantastic, we've got so much more space, we've got at least double the amount of room we had.

"We've even got a little bit out the back where Toby can do a bit of woodwork that he enjoys doing, making shelves and whittling wood and pallets and the like," she said.

Toby Watson is from the original Watson family and was kept on by Sarah.

"He's brilliant, he's my main florist and he's fabulous. I've also got Annie Armstrong from Haltwhistle. I took her on as an apprentice, but she's so good I've decided to give her a full-time job when she's finished her apprenticeship.

"We've got all this fabulous window space which allows us to display stuff we've made."

The floristry business has expanded its range of services as they now have the space needed to do this.

"As well as the fresh flowers which we always have and always will offer, we've got a wide selection of dried flowers. We dry our own flowers, we've got beautiful artificial flowers, we're now selling houseplants and glassware, vases and gift ideas."

Sarah said Corbidge 'has always had a great reputation for its core businesses and individual shops'.

"We get a lot of tourists coming through, and we have a good base for our residents in Corbridge, they're great customers. Corbridge has it all really.

"People come from Hexham, Bardon Mill and all over the place. I really hope people from Corbridge get behind us and make the business a lovely place," she added.