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Traders go 'big and bold' in Battle of Flowers

BBC Harriet Rouse smiling towards the camera in her shop. She is wearing a stripy and floral jacket and is wearing a necklace. In the background there are colourful items on shelves. BBC
Business owner Harriet Rouse is one of the 16 businesses taking part in the Battle of Flowers

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.

Government of Jersey A floral display on the left with a sign at the centre. There is a woman walking towards the flower display, and people sat down at a cafe in the distance.Government of Jersey
Shops, cafes and restaurants have decorated their shopfronts in partnership with one of the floats which will feature in the Battle of Flowers event

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.

A 'Town Takeover' poster in a shop window.
The flowers transform the town during the summer

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."

Deputy Kirsten Morel smiling at the camera. He is stood on the high-street and there is a shop to his left. In the reflection of the window, there are fake white and pink tulips.
Deputy Kirsten Morel said he hopes the Town Takeover initiative brings a 'new vibe' to the event

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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