A PEEBLES businesswoman who used lockdown to train as a florist says her business is blooming – thanks to her bicycle.

As local firms emerged from the dark days of the pandemic which resulted in them closing their doors over winter, the arrival of spring saw a new retailer blossom in the School Brae.

Lynsey Taylor seized an opportunity during the first lockdown to re-train and embark on a new business venture.

The 43-year-old’s plan to open a shop selling plants and pots within her and husband Keith's garden machinery business, grew flowers and wheels.

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The newly qualified florist now sells her bouquets from her 'Blooming Bicycle'.

“My husband repairs, services and sells garden machinery. It was all part of the big master business plan that I would open a wee shop at the Haylodge depot. I only planned to sell garden-related items,” said Lynsey.

“I needed to do something that was going to interest me – because lawnmowers dinnae!”

“Because of lockdown I thought, I’m just going to go for this and I’m going to do exactly what I want to do and that was to be a florist.”

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Lynsey did an online open university course in floristry, and this year decided to grow her business even more.

“I was just sitting one day flicking through Pinterest looking for ideas. I wanted to do something that could bring a bit of the shop into the street, and I wanted to do something totally different with the flowers that no one else really does.”

A picture of a bike covered and flowers caught Lynsey’s eye.

She said: “I thought I could get a trailer and put it on the back of my bike and sell the flowers from it. In a nutshell that is how the Blooming Bicycle came about.”

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Like a scene from the musical Oliver Twist, Lynsey sells her blooms to passers-by every Saturday, although she doesn't have to sing ‘Who Will Buy’ as her bouquets sell out within the first hour.

“I’m stationed in the School Brae from 10am until 1pm, but since starting I’ve been sold out by 11am. I might need to consider making more,” said Lynsey.

Asked if she cycles down to the School Brae, Lynsey said: “I would love to say I do but it’s way too heavy. Mikey Gould built the trailer for me and it is an absolute tonne weight, so my husband has to take it down in the van.

“This new venture really excites me. I was always a bit scared of our business not being in the hub of the town’s high street, as it’s a bit of a walk, but the amount of people that have taken the time to come up to the shop has been brilliant. The support from the people of Peebles has just been great.”

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As well as her Blooming Bicycle, Lynsey also has a gift shop at the Haylodge depot which stocks items by local creative people.

A former resident of Galashiels, holidays as a youngster were spent visiting family in Peeblesshire.

“When I was a wee girl I always said I wanted to move to Peebles.”

And five years ago, Lynsey made that dream a reality when she uprooted and settled in the town.