Holly’s Flowers opens at Elephant shopping centre

Cllr Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat candidate for the London Assembly, was at the stall on Monday morning to launch Holly's Flowers.

"It just shows that no matter how old you are you can re-train and set up a business as long as you have the energy and vision as Jean clearly has," said Cllr Pidgeon. "I am delighted that Jean has set up her new business, and hope it goes from strength to strength".

James Stockdale of centre owner St Modwen commented: "We are keen to attract a wide range of retailers and shoppers to the centre and are delighted to announce the opening of Holly's Flowers."

Jean Reardon, who worked in the print industry, began her training to be a florist at Southwark College in The Cut last year. She has already been awarded several City and Guilds certificates and is creating table decorations and other orders on the barrow.

"I am not just cut flowers," says Jean who was delighted have a wedding bouquet among her first orders. She is also stocking plants.

She is excited to be working in the shopping centre as this not just close to home but the site of the Horse Repository where her grandfather took part in horse auctions. "I feel that I have come back to my roots," says Jean.

• Holly's Flowers is open Monday to Saturday 7.30am to 5.30pm on the ground floor of the Elephant & Castle Shopping Centre.