Serving the Teesside Business Community | 29
Claire’s Blooms is the latest in a parade of
Stockton town centre retail units that have
seen a £1m investment from Mandale.
We’re
investing in
Stockton
P
Passion - Claire Dalkin.
a week as a back-scratcher but
she’d like Sundays off!”
While running her own florists
was something Claire had always wanted to
to create worktops and flower stands.
do, it took a touch of fate to inspire her to
“It’s my vision to be known as the best
take the plunge.
florists in town,” added Claire, who can
Claire, who studied floristry at the former
cater for every occasion, from weddings
Stockton and Billingham College of Further
to funerals, with hand ties, baskets and
Education, explained: “I was out shopping
hat boxes already proving popular.
when I spotted that my old stomping ground
“I don’t just want to be known for great
was empty and available to let. I got in touch
flowers but as somewhere friendly that
with Mandale and it was mine within two
people can call in and feel welcome to
weeks of first seeing the shop.
take a look around and maybe stay for
“It was weird going back into a shop I
a chat and a cup of tea. It’s all about the
used to spend every day in but Mandale have customer service.
transformed it for the better. It’s exactly how
“I was born and bred in Stockton so I’m
I wanted it to be.“
really proud to playing a part in bringing
Mandale’s five-star renovation included
back to life another of its quirky little
new floors, ceilings, lighting, plastering and
streets off the High Street, which I think
decoration, while Claire’s business partner
are leading the way with their trendy little
brother, Craig Booth, carried out the joinery
bars and independent shops.”
roperty experts Mandale are keen
to continue their crusade to help
give Stockton town centre a new
lease of life after a florists became the
latest business to open in one of their
impressively refurbished retail units.
The long-established Stockton firm
now owns more than 30 shops in the
town centre area – and is keen to add
further to their impressive portfolio
within the town centre.
Florist Claire’s Blooms has signed a
long-term lease for a unit alongside high-
end pet store Wags ‘n’ Whiskers, hair
salon BLD and Alice’s Nail Bar, all let to
the business owners by Mandale.
“It’s a fantastic little parade of shops,”
said Mandale property specialist Joe
Darragh. “As with the other business
owners, Claire is so passionate about
what she does and we wish her
business every success.”
Joe wants to place Mandale at the
heart of helping Stockton town centre
bounce back from the sort of issues that
are hitting high streets across the UK.
He explained: “We’ve owned shops
in the town centre for 30 years but we
became disheartened when we started
to see units around the centre fall
vacant.
“But our Dovecot Street parade now
stands out as part of our portfolio of
more than 30 shops across the town
centre.
“We’re in it for the long haul and
it’s fantastic to see Stockton Council
investing in the High Street to ensure it
continues to thrive.
“We’re keen to renovate more shops
and work with the council to drive more
people back into the town centre.”