The following is an outline of some of the areas that may be relevant to you.
What licences does a florist need?
Although selling flowers doesn't require a licence, there may be other aspects of your business that do such as:.
- if you sell or deliver alcoholic drinks to accompany floral arrangements - like champagne or fine wines - you must make sure that you obtain the appropriate licences. Contact your local licensing authority for more information
- If you intend to put display units or an advertising board on the pavement outside your shop, you may need to get clearance from the local authority highways department
- If you plan to play background music in your shop you will need a Music Licence from PPL PRS Ltd. There is an annual fee for this which you can pay online on the PPL PRS website
Retailing
There is a wide range of legislation that applies to retail outlets, much of which protects the interests of the consumer. For example, the retail price of goods must be clearly displayed. You will be responsible for making sure that all goods or services are fit for their intended purpose and of satisfactory quality. There is also consumer legislation that covers online selling and off-premises selling - where you make a contract with someone away from your premises, for example if you visited a client at their home to show them different floral options for a wedding.
There's detailed guidance on your legal obligations to consumers, and on the requirements when selling online, on the Trading Standards Business Companion website. Information and guidance about general consumer protection and fair trading legislation is also available on the Gov.uk website.
Carrier bag charge
A minimum 10p charge applies for single-use carrier bags in England (other rules apply in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland). You can get detailed guidance from the GOV.UK website.
Health & Safety, fire
You must comply with workplace health and safety and fire safety legislation.
Employment legislation
Anyone employing staff must comply with employment legislation. Important areas of legislation include recruitment, employment contracts, pay, working hours, holidays, employment policies, sickness, maternity, paternity, discrimination, discipline, grievances, dismissals, redundancies and employment tribunals.
Insurance for a florist
Contact an insurer or insurance broker and explain exactly how your business will operate - they will then explain what insurance cover you must have by law, and other cover you should consider. This might include:
- premises, premises contents and stock
- goods in transit (on the way back from a supplier, or delivering to trade customers)
- cold room storage malfunction
- cash
- business interruption
- employer's liability
- public liability
- motor insurance (for business vehicles)
It is worth noting that trade associations offer discounted specialist insurance as a benefit of membership. For example, the British Florist Association offers advantageous rates on shop and van insurance through its preferred partner.