While York’s mediaeval city walls and the cobbled streets are a must-see for tourists, many locals steer clear of these busy areas and head to ‘hidden gems’ instead.
Laura Newby at her Belle Bloom stall in York s Coppergate Shopping Centre A FLORISTRY student is celebrating the success of her fledgling business after she branched out to launch a new flower stall in York city centre. Laura Newby set up Belle Blooms from her York home in November 2019, providing arrangements for events, weddings and funerals. The 25-year-old then set up a stall in York’s Coppergate Shopping Centre this autumn despite the pandemic, and was delighted to see her profits exceed her targets. Laura, a current student on Askham Bryan College’s Level 3 Floristry course, who has relaunched her flower cart and delivery service post-lockdown, said: “I didn’t have a business background so the thought of starting from scratch was intimidating.