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Published: 12 August, 2010
by JOSIE HINTON

A FAMILY-RUN florists that has served Bloomsbury residents for almost 30 years is facing closure as its owners cannot afford new premises in the area.

Tommy Sacker, 67, and his wife Annette, 64, who run Bonnie Blooms florists in Southampton Row, have three weeks to move out of their shop to allow for the expansion of the Park Inn hotel next door.

But the couple say they may be forced to leave the area as they can’t compete with chain stores that can afford to pay sky-high rents.

“Obviously we want to stay in this area because it’s where we’ve always lived and it’s where all our customers are, but we just can’t afford it,” said Mr Sacker. “Only chain stores can afford to pay the prices in this area now and small businesses are being pushed out.”

The couple previously ran a stall in Theobalds Road until they were forced to move on after 14 years when a hotel was built on their plot. Their business was saved when the then-owners of the Park Inn hotel offered them an unused storeroom in Southampton Row. 

Mr and Mrs Sacker, who have been married for 42, serve customers including Ricky Gervais and have put together high-profile arrangements such as the memorial flowers for victims of the 7/7 bombing at Russell Square Tube station.

Mrs Sacker, who grew up in Or­mond Close, said: “We don’t make a lot of money but we love what we do and we serve the community.”