THE Petersfield florist whose shop is set to be demolished says if it goes ahead, it will be in about two years’ time – and then she plans to look for another premises in the town.

Kristina Cousens first opened her shop, The Blacksmiths Daughter, in Bakery Lane 23 years ago.

Now owner Heinz Naef has applied to demolish the wooden building and replace it with a brick-built shop with accommodation above.

His planning application says the current premises, with its metal roof, isn’t fit for purpose.

Although understanding of Mr Naef’s reasons for wanting to replace the barn-like shop, Kristina insists it is fit for her purpose – the selling of flowers and flower arrangements.

She said: “It’s in good condition, has a new roof and running water, and is ideal for us.

“It’s a beautiful building that creates a wonderful ambience that just suits the selling of flowers.”

And Kristina, who named her shop after the forge in Midhurst owned by her father, and his father before him, says whatever the outcome of Mr Naef’s planning application, she plans to stay in Petersfield.

She said: “I have about two years left on my current lease, so I won’t be going anywhere before then.

“I’m not closing and if I do have to leave then I will be looking for another premises in Petersfield.

“I have very loyal customers, and new ones are always coming in, and I have no intention of leaving them.”

And after trading through the pandemic – she was closed for the first three months of it after March 20 last year – business is picking up again.

As a result, the Wiltshire-born master florist recently took on two new florists to help out as her Christmas order book fills up.

Kristina, who traded from a market stall at the front of her shop next to the Waitrose car park during the Covid crisis, said: “It’s very busy this Christmas. Usually I go up to Convent Garden at about 2am once a week to buy Grade A flowers from Holland and Denmark, but now I’m going up twice a week.

“I’m very happy here, and won’t be going anywhere until I have to. And even if the plans to demolish the shop go ahead, I want to stay in Petersfield.”

For more information, and to order flowers, visit The Blacksmiths Daughter website at https://theblacksmithsdaughter.co.uk or call Kristina on 01730 261611.