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# PROFILE: Flower Power!
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/profile-flower-power/
- Published: 2016-01-25T19:00:16.000Z
- Updated: 2016-01-26T11:21:05.000Z
- Description: This Valentine’s month, Eric Page catches up with Neil Rushton of stylish and fragrant newcomer Hunter’s Florist on St James St, to talk all things floral.
- Author: Eric Page
- Tags: Features & Longread, In The South, Interviews, News, Brighton, Kemptown

## This Valentine’s month, Eric Page catches up with Neil Rushton of stylish and fragrant newcomer Hunter Florist on St James St, to talk all things floral.

![Neil Rushton](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web-600-16.jpg)

Neil Rushton

**Your shop, what’s your thinking behind its style?**  
*I like the flowers to speak, so all packaging is understated, and the décor of the shop is neutral, to allow the plants and flowers to shine.*

**How do you feel about your success?**  
*You are only as good as your last arrangement, there is no room for being complacent, and so I’m always pushing myself to keep standards high.*

**What got you into floristry?**  
*I was a window dresser in a large London department store for 11 years, and used a lot of large faux flowers, and moved on to fresh flowers. That’s when I got the bug to work with flowers and plants as a career.*

![Hunter Florist](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web-600-3-9.jpg)

Photo: Murray Draycon

**What brought you to Brighton?**  
*The space, fresh air and opportunities.*

**What’s your signature flower?**  
*I love Snowdrops, one of the first flowers to push through the icy ground and Blossom too, pink, flouncy, and a true sign that summer is on its way.*

**Do you talk to your flowers?** *I always talk to the flowers and plants; I tell them how pretty they are and hope their new owner will look after them properly.*

**What’s your biggest headache?** *Using flower’s that aren’t fully in season, out of season they are never as big or open as you need them to be.*

**What makes you cringe?**  
*When pastel and vibrant clashing colours are put together, or dyed flowers.*

**Your perfect flowery threesome?** *White hyacinth, ivory Norma Jean roses and stephanotis with a hint of fresh mint.*

![Hunter Florist](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web-600-2-17.jpg)

Photo: Murray Draycon

**Who would do your own personal event, McQueens or Simon Lycett?** *McQueens, I love their style, the way they use flowers, the choices they put together.*

**How has being LGBT influenced your business?**  
*Being LGBT has taught me, that you have to stick to your guns and push yourself all the way, nobody else is going to do it for you.*

**Any advice for budding LGBT business folk?**  
*Be prepared for whatever walks through the door, and be willing to adapt.*

**What’s your typical working day?**  
*At the shop for 7am, order stock from local wholesaler & Holland, check flowers condition & deliveries, serve customers, e-mail husbands & brides regarding wedding orders, around 6pm start to close up then a walk with my pooch.*

**What’s your favourite flower joke?**  
*The bill’s my wholesalers give me are a joke at times.*

Hunter Florist will have an online shop soon. To order telephone **01273 621229**.

They also have face book page. **To view: [click here:](https://www.facebook.com/neil.ruston.1?fref=ts)**

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**Hunter Florist are very generously offering a gift voucher up to £50 for one lucky reader who can answer the following question:**

Q: What number St James Street is the Hunter Florist Shop?

Send your answer to [info@gscene.com](mailto:info@gscene.com) with Hunter’s Flowers Competition in the subject line.

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Hunter Florist, St James’s Street, Brighton, Telephone **01273 621229**.

**For more information and to book flowers online, [click here:](http://www.hunterflorist.co.uk/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)**

![Hunters the Florist](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web-600-45.jpg)

Photos: Murray Draycon