'Way beyond my wildest dreams': New flower shop blossoms on Shropshire high street

A new local business has bloomed on Newport high street, bringing a burst of fresh colour to the town.

The Flower Stop, a small independent florist, has officially opened in the former home of The Milk Stop, which closed in May.

The unit previously housed a Staffordshire-based venture run by ex‑farmers Chris and Suzie Waterfall, who had sold fresh and flavoured cow and buffalo milk from a vending machine since 2022.

Now the site has been transformed into a compact but colourful and fragrant florists run by Ian Smallman.

Ian - who is from Newport - is the fifth generation of his family to run a flower shop, having come from the same family who operated Sally’s Flowers in the town for many years.

It’s not his first either, the 55-year-old opened the Flower Pot in Shifnal in 1997 which is still going strong today - albeit under different ownership.

The Newport shop was formally opened on Thursday by borough councillor Peter Scott, who spoke warmly about the new addition to the town: “As borough councillor for the High Street it was a real pleasure to officially open the new Flower Stop.

“A fabulous shop selling a beautiful range of cut flowers and plants. Good luck to Ian, his range of flowers and expert knowledge will be an asset to our town.”

Ian said he was overwhelmed by the response from locals since announcing he was bringing a florist back to Newport.

“We’re the only florist in Newport now, and the reaction has been absolutely amazing,” he said.

“I can honestly say I did not expect this much response to my new little venture. Way, way, way beyond my wildest dreams.”

The store is open from Tuesdays to Saturdays from 9am to 4pm.