Tending the clients with the same care and attention as the plants is the key for one flourishing young business.

Interior and exterior landscaping firm Brighton Botanical's policy has resulted in blooming balance sheets.

Since starting up in the city two years ago, director Tim Mortimer says the company is driving out London rivals like a plague of Triffids.

Brighton Botanicals designs, installs and maintains indoor and outdoor horticultural landscaping for offices, hotels, restaurants and other businesses.

Tim, 46, said: "We had been in a similar business for the past 16 years in London and I was looking to possibly move house to Brighton. When I came here I saw a huge business opportunity.

"Offices were way behind London standards in terms of landscaping and I thought if I started up down here customers would rush to my door."

He said the fact Brighton Botanicals is a local company has been great for business.

"Before that many of the offices were dealing with London firms," Tim said.

"It was plain to see they were considering their Brighton clients as an afterthought to their more important London contracts.

"It was a case of out of sight, out of mind and we have taken a lot of business quite easily."

Company turnover has doubled in the past three months, following major contracts at the Trafalgar Place and Hotel du Vin.

Tim said in the age of feng shui, workers are thought to be more productive and customers are supposed to respond better in a soothing and tranquil environment.

He said: "There is no doubt you get healthier and happier staff if you put a few plants round the place and businesses in the area are waking up to that.

"Workers will respond if they think bosses are investing in them and the environment.

"Big, blue chip employers want a good corporate image and having their receptions and office buildings looking maintained and smart helps that.

"Plants also help purify the air in offices.

"Brighton is now full of high-profile businesses whose image is important, and in the past their interior and exterior landscaping may have seemed irrelevant.

"We are changing that culture and clients see the benefit like being hit over the head."

Tim said he takes enormous pride from projects like Hotel du Vin.

He added: "They are a shop window for us, so it is in our interests that they are a bit special.

"Getting good feedback from customers is a real buzz and I am proud of the fact we have never had a single complaint."

Tim runs the business with partner Ashly Lewis and a team of seasonal staff who keep the plants looking fresh.

July 6, 2005