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St Helier businesses take part in Battle of Flowers

St Helier businesses take part in Battle of Flowers

BBC News18-07-2025
Businesses in Jersey have been working on displays as part of the upcoming Battle of Flowers event.Harriet Rouse, owner of Harriet and Rose in St Helier, said its display, which is a mix between English garden and tulips from Amsterdam, has had an amazing response.The Government of Jersey encouraged local traders to get involved in the event this year as part of its 2025 Town Takeover.Sustainable economic development minister Deputy Kirsten Morel said 16 businesses in St Helier are taking part.
He said the shops, cafes and restaurants have decorated their shopfronts in partnership with one of the floats which will feature in the event.Ms Rouse said: "We wanted to go big and bold and didn't want to restrict the display to the window."The Friends of Galaad wanted to do tulips from Amsterdam and our team is going to help with the painting of the float."She said people have noticed how "lovely and vibrant" the town felt since the displays, which Ms Rouse said she had no intention of taking down, weather permitting.
She added: "We have worked something we know we will use again and again and keep the shop and the town looking vibrant."There is real potential for this to roll out and be a seasonal thing not just for Battle of the Flowers and just make the town really inviting."Deputy Morel said there is a "real link between Battle of Flowers and retailers"."At the end of the parade, the main pieces on the floats will be given to the shops who have worked with it," he said."I'm hoping it will bring a new vibe to the Battle of Flowers and allow people to be closer to it and allow the town to be part of the battle."
He said he hopes this year's plans would "bring a new vibe" to the event and allow people to feel closer to it. "The fact we are bringing colour to town and making it look even nicer will help people come to town and tourists will be delighted to see the floral displays throughout the town."Deputy Morel said if the event went well this year, he would like to see the initiative continue between local businesses and the event. He said the displays should all aim to be sustainable."If we can play a little part of raising awareness of a clean and healthy environment through this, then that's really good," he added.
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