EVERYTHING is coming up roses at Avenue Flowers and Design. The new business is expanding at such a rate that manager Ilze Alka needs more staff – and fast.

An advert recently placed in the Guernsey Press resulted in more than 30 responses, 12 on the first day.

‘It was amazing. And the previous time we advertised, we had over 60 applicants,’ she said.

The business opened in St Julian’s Avenue on 4 March 2005 as a one-woman show with manager Ms Alka. Just two months later, she was producing displays fit for the Queen for her visit in May of that year.

She now employs five people and the business is rapidly expanding.

Ms Alka said she keeps the age range broad because of the quality of applicants she has received in the past, from schoolgirls to retired people – who offer experience and are reliable.

‘I need someone who can work quickly, ideally a schoolgirl of about 14 or up, because I can give them training and they will get really good experience.

Employees have to make up bouquets while customers wait and help out at weddings and other large events.

There was just one male applicant among the recent crop, but four the previous time they advertised.

‘Normally men are very good florists – they have an excellent eye for colour and innovation.’

Latvian-born Ms Alka was trained by Norwegian and Swiss master florists and regularly attends international exhibitions, most recently in Frankfurt and Paris. Another trip was to an advanced wedding course in the Netherlands.

‘If you don’t follow the trends, you don’t know what’s going on.’

Wherever possible, local flowers are used in the displays. Others come from France and Amsterdam.

‘I look at the flowers as shapes and colours and that’s how I put them together. I look at them as a piece of art.

‘If you don’t believe in what you are doing, then you won’t succeed.’