A treasured cornerstone of Fleetwood town centre is celebrating a remarkable milestone this year.

Four Seasons in Poulton Street, the town’s only remaining independent florist, marks its 50th anniversary — and for generations of local families, it has been the first port of call for funeral tributes, wedding bouquets and flowers for life’s most meaningful moments.

It's story began not in Fleetwood but in Blackburn for the original owners Winnie and Raymond Peel.

They lived in the East Lancashire town but Raymond's brother had moved to Fleetwood. He had spotted a corner shop for sale on Carr Road and Chaucer Road. Winnie was working as a florist at Easthams in Blackburn at the time, and the suggestion was simple but life-changing: buy the shop and make a fresh start by the sea.

So they did, they moved their family lock, stock and barrel and set up Four Seasons which would become one of Fleetwood’s success stories.

Their daughter Elaine Moran, who now expertly runs the florist, was just 14 when she came here and admits she wasn’t thrilled at the time.

"I remember hearing people walking past the shop and mumbling things, saying we wouldn't last!" she said.

Half a century on, Four Seasons is not only still here, but thriving.

Now 63, Elaine attributes that longevity to experience, tradition and understanding what her customers truly value.

"In Fleetwood, it's what our customers want, they like tradition.

“We do still do weddings but there is so much inspiration on the Internet, people come in with a picture asking us to replicate a bouquet - and we can sometimes - but it depends on so many things. It’s about the style, how the bouquets are held and for their wedding pictures.”

Funeral work, she says, remains especially close to her heart.

“Funerals are special, the flowers are the last thing someone can do for a loved one. Customers come in upset but often leave having talked and maybe manage a smile after a cry. But it is all down to experience, how you deal with people.”

Elaine will often start work at 4am and can still be there after ten at night. She is helped by her daughter Nicola Balmer who is learning the ropes and a small loyal team including Christine Pickup, who is 81 years old! She has worked with Elaine for 26 years.

Elaine has a superb, reliable supplier and most of her flowers come from Holland. Her favourite flower is Bird of Paradise and says customer’s top picks are lilies and roses.

The rapport with customers is palpable and with gentle humour, Elaine refers to Saturdays and Mondays as ‘sorrydays’ when sheepish partners arrive in need of a peace-making bouquet after a weekend misstep.

“I can always tell when a bouquet is for a ‘sorry’ you pick up on these things.”

To mark the official anniversary in September, Elaine is planning special events and offers as a thank you to the customers who have supported the business across five decades.

Through changing times, Four Seasons has remained proudly independent. And at 50 years strong, it continues to bloom at the very heart of Fleetwood.