A florist has announced its shop closure due to increased costs.

Walter Smith Flowers, “a bright and welcoming local florist”, sells bouquets, ceremony arrangements and plants to customers across Sussex, nationally and internationally from its stores and online.

However, the flower shop, which is part of the Ginger Lily Emporium Group, has now announced the closure of its Shoreham store in Buckingham Road.

A spokesman for the business said: “It's with great sadness that our beautiful little shop in the heart of Shoreham has closed its doors to visitors for the last time. This is not the end.

“We would like to thank everyone who has supported us in the shop and we hope to see this support continue while we take our journey online.”

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The florist cited reasons such as rising costs and rent, which almost doubled this year,  as “running the shop became increasingly more challenging”.

Customers were sad to hear the news, with one commenter on Facebook writing: “This was my first job I ever had working at Walter Smith’s, back in 1985 as a Saturday girl.

“I loved it and went on to train as a florist and worked for Seymour and Dench in Portland Road Hove for the next eight years till I had my daughter.

“So sad to hear this is closing down.”

Another well-wisher said: “Sad to read this, the wonderful flower shop who stepped up and made a perfect bouquet when I walked in on the morning of my wedding- which was also Valentine's Day.”

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The business was highly regarded for its flower service, having placed third in Three Best Rated’s list for florists in Brighton this year.

Services will still be delivered to customers out of their store in Preston Drove, Brighton, named the Ginger Lily Florists.

Customers in Shoreham will also be able to submit orders through their online shop.

The business added: “We look forward to continued business and support in Shoreham, and as always, delivering beautiful flowers to you and your loved ones.”