A HALESOWEN florists is giving away £80k worth of flowers in random gestures of kindness to spread cheer in these uncertain times.

All Occasions Florists on Hagley Road has been forced to close its doors - laying off 24 full-time staff.

It is giving away 5,000 bouquets - with entire streets across Halesowen finding welcome surprises on their doorsteps yesterday and today (Wednesday).

People have taken to twitter and Facebook to thank the firm for its generosity and have been posting pictures of their bouquets.


The family-run shop is owned by Sharon and John Wilkes and is a real family affair with their four sons working in the business.

They have owned the shop for 26 years and it has been in the family for three generations.

Dudley News:

Ross Wilkes, aged 25, who is the oldest of the brothers, said: "It's a really nice thing to do to be able to give away bouquets.

"All the staff we have had to lay off have come back in and delivered them to their own streets and to family.

"We've delivered to whole streets - around 50 streets yesterday (Tuesday) across Halesowen and we are doing more today.

"We have had a brilliant response from people - and have had lots of photos sent in to our Facebook page.

"It's amazing how many NHS workers live in Halesowen and have messaged us to say that they had come back from a long day at work to find the flowers.

"It's nice to put a smile on people's faces."

Even veteran newsreader Nick Owen received a bouquet.



Ross said the massive amount of £80k worth of stock was just an average week's stock for the florists - as it sells around the country through Interflora and to supermarkets.

The shop had 32 staff - all except eight have had to be temporarily laid off.

He said: "We don't know how long the closure will last."

He staff would be re-employed as soon as the business could re-open and get back on its feet.