A BLOOMING Chard business is planning to expand into the shop next door.

Floweringi, a flower shop on Boden Street, will soon be growing into the adjoining premises, The Courtyard, and is planning to open in the autumn.

The additional space will be used as a flower studio for the business to work from. The outdoor courtyard area will be used to stock garden plants, as well as a wider range of indoor plants that will be sold from inside the studio.

Ingrid Edginton, who studied historic and botanical gardens at degree level before training at a floristry school, opened the store at the beginning of February after a change in career.

She will be holding floristry workshops in the new studio section. Some of the workshops will be specifically designed for hen parties, or birthdays. One of her favourite workshops to teach is working alongside a groom as he makes the bridal bouquet.

She said: "This is the first gift the groom will give his wife in their married life, it such a special and romantic workshop, often taking the groom’s mind off any last minute nerves."

The store is part of the dementia-friendly network in the town and plans to hold sessions for people with the illness, support by Dementia Friends Champion, Selina Sapsford.

The team at Floweringi will be using the launch of The Courtyard in order to raise awareness of Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO), an auto-immune condition.

Claire Eggle, a Floweringi volunteer 's daughter, Saffie, was diagnosed with NMO, when she could no longer walk.

Ingrid said: "I would like to thank my customers for making me and all my staff feel so welcome in the town and for all the support and well wishes.

"We all find it extremely rewarding offering a floral service to the town and delight at being part of this community.’’