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BRISTOL AT WORK Our series of photographic portraits by Charlotte Stone shows Bristol people at work
Barry Toogood Owner of Flowers by Barry Toogood on Coldharbour Road
I
was born in Bristol and educated in Bristol at Cotham Grammar. At six years old I aspired to own an ice cream van – it seemed like a good idea at the time. But by the age of ten my interest had moved to horticulture. My parents bought me my first greenhouse and the end of the garden soon resembled a nursery. Soon I was producing and selling plants to shops in Westbury on Trym as well as growing a large range of plants from seed to supply my parents and grandmother’s gardens. I joined Sainsbury’s management training scheme and enjoyed five very tough but rewarding years, eventually entering into a more specialised area of systems control when laser scanning was first introduced. Much travelling and living out of a suitcase soon lost its allure and I re-entered the branch network and enjoyed once more the cut and thrust of the retail environment. I was lucky to meet my lovely wife Jayne through work. I had always dreamt of becoming my own boss and when an opportunity presented itself, with much trepidation I left my secure, well paid job to develop a business opportunity a short distance from the former White Tree Garage in Henleaze. A business of which I have fond childhood memories due to close family ties. Within three years I had developed a very successful business achieving over 300% growth. Then it was time to move on. Following a short period of respite, Jayne, my mother and I opened a cards and flowers shop here on Coldharbour Road. It was of its time and quite unusual – moving away from the normal fruit, veg and flowers or pet food mix and introducing a more gift driven concept. Now 23 years later we continue to grow, evolve and develop. The very best part of this business is where I am located, the amazing people I have had the honour to serve and the links with local businesses and the education sector, particularly the close relationship with St Christopher’s school. It has been a great honour to have been included in so many life time events from births and marriages to new homes, jobs, congratulations on graduation and all manner of happy events. The most difficult aspect of our work is coping with the distress of bereavement and illness – this is never easy – but hopefully our calm and sympathetic approach helps our clients to manage this part of the arrangements at a time when they may be at their most vulnerable. Would I rather be doing anything else? Actually no, unless you include spending the day bobbing around on the river Dart, a distant dream for now.
NEW CLIFTON BASED DRESS AGENCY & FABULOUS FROCK BOUTIQUE We sell new and preloved high end High Street and designer labels on behalf of clients, with our aim being for the wearer of each sumptuous piece to draw compliments on that garment. We also: • Offer consultations. • Sell on commission. • Trade. • Hire out gowns. Our staff are very friendly and approachable, and passionate about finding the right items for you. We’d like to offer a 10% discount to our Bristol Magazine customers on your first purchase. Simply quote code ‘BristolMag141’ on purchase. 37 Princess Victoria Street, Clifton, BS8 4BX. Tel: 07785 797904. Facebook: Sumptuous Designerwear.
www.charlottestonephoto.com
WWW.THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE.CO.UK
APRIL 2014
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THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 29