A FAMILY-RUN florist which started out as a market stall is celebrating its 40th year in business.

From its origins as an outlet in Newcastle’s Grainger Market, Katherine’s Florists now operates from three locations across the city and employs 40 people.

The business, which still trades from the same stall in Grainger Market, has built up an array of global customers with orders received from as far away as Australia and Norway.

Katherine’s Florists is now headed by managing director Helen Nikzad, whose mother, Katherine, set up the business in 1969. Mrs Nikzad, her husband Farshad, and her mother and father are all working directors in the company, which has its headquarters in Newcastle’s Leazes Park Road and another shop in Gosforth.

Mrs Nikzad comes from a fifth generation of flower sellers, and believes the experience within the business and the reputation of Katherine’s Florists stands it in good stead for the future.

“My grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother were all flower sellers, and some of my earliest memories are helping my gran with flowers, so it’s a profession I have been brought up with.

“I joined the business 26 years ago, and am proud of what we have achieved,” said Mrs Nikzad, who met her husband when he was an officer in the Persian Navy sent to Swan Hunter in Wallsend to collect the Kharg warship.

“People often think being a florist is quite glamorous, but it is a tough business. It’s very labour intensive and is very hard work. But over the years Katherine’s has built up a reputation which has seen it stand the test of time and it continues to go from strength to strength.”

Mrs Nikzad said the development of the business has been in three stages – the Seventies saw the establishment of the brand, the Eighties was a period of strong growth, with new outlets being opened in Newcastle’s Green Market, Eldon Gardens and Fenwick’s department store, and the Nineties onwards has been consolidation of the business and taking advantage of the opportunities provided by the internet.

The company’s website – katherinesflorists.co.uk – has helped the business attract customers from the UK and beyond.

“I’ve worked with a lady in Australia and a Norwegian lady in supplying flowers for their weddings, and only actually met them once,” Mrs Nikzad said.

“It really shows what can be done over the internet, and how it can help your brand to become global.

“We are in the process of updating the website, which I think will play an increasingly important role, but I don’t think will ever become the main source of our business.

We pride ourselves on the personal touch and we will never lose that.”