Shops / Shop of the Week
Shop of the Week: Don Gay’s Florist, Hengrove
Originally a fruit and veg shop, Don Gay’s Florist has been serving from the heart of Hengrove since the 1930s.
“My mum was my inspiration”, says current owner Sally Allan, who started working Saturdays in the shop aged 12. “She began taking flower arranging classes in the 1970s while working in the fruit and veg shop – and the flowers just took over.”
Sally, now 56, is still here and running the shop with her daughter, son, sister-in-law and a small team of staff.
is needed now More than ever
Ever since Sally’s mum took her to her first flower classes it’s been in the family, with a love of the craft passed down through generations.
Flowers fit for royalty
The shop has also had its fair share of spotlight.
They’ve created bouquets for visits by the Queen, Princess Anne and the Countess of Wessex.
Sally Allan has worked in the shop since she was 12 – it’s now a multi-generational family business – photo: Alex Cavanagh
Their work has featured in TV shows like Don’t Tell the Bride, Big Fat Gypsy Weddings and Poldark.
“We had brides coming in off the street saying, ‘Did you do the flowers for that show?’ And then they’d book us just for that,” Sally laughs.
Weddings in full bloom
Business is still booming today – with a whopping 92 weddings booked for the year and an upheld reputation for word-of-mouth recommendations.
Don Gay’s have created bouquets for royalty and featured on shows like Don’t Tell the Bride and Poldark – photo: Alex Cavanagh
“One wedding leads to another”, Sally explains. “Friends of the bride see our flowers, and it just blossoms from there.”
Popular in the community
Don Gay’s is just as rooted in the local community as it is in weddings and special events.
Every year, they run Easter workshops for children, Halloween pumpkin flower classes and Christmas wreath-making nights that draw in hundreds.
“We had over 300 women in here over 10 nights last Christmas,” Sally says.
“It’s hard graft – but it’s brilliant.”
More than 90 weddings are booked this year – photo: Alex Cavanagh
Even behind the scenes, Don Gay’s are already planning months in advance.
Christmas prep starts in September, Valentine’s in January and Mother’s Day orders start before the snow’s melted.
Growing with generations
Don Gay’s Florist may be Instagram-friendly – especially when peony season rolls around – but its true charm lies in how it has blossomed with its customers.
They’ve even had work experience students beg to stay on once their placements have ended.
Seasonal workshops and community events are a huge part of what they do – photo: Alex Cavanagh
“Some of them don’t even want to go back to school,” Sally smiles. “They just want to be here. That says it all really.”
And, for many families, the florist has become integral to their own history.
“We’ve had mums who got their wedding flowers from us come back years later with their daughters,” Sally adds.
“That’s what it’s all about really – being part of people’s lives.”
Don Gay’s Florist, The Parade, 2– 3 Hengrove Ln, Hengrove, BS14 9DB
Main photo: Alex Cavanagh
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