Something Bloomin’ Different is coming to Golborne

The countdown is on – and soon the former bookies in the centre of Golborne will have completed a dramatic transformation.

Opening its doors on Thursday, October 1, Something Bloomin’ Different will offer just that – a place like no other in Golborne – where you can stop for a cake and a cuppa, browse some hand-crafted gifts & cards, pick up plants and gardening supplies and get craft supplies. It’ll have a tea room, a haberdashery and a plant centre – and it will be dog friendly, too!

It’s the vision of local man Mark Collier, who runs a garden business called The Bloomin’ Nursery. Alongside his mum, Mark has been working flat out to transform the former William Hill bookmakers and make his dream of opening Something Bloomin’ Different come true.

As well as being a shop and tearoom, Something Bloomin’ Different will be a key community hub too – hosting weekly groups including Knit and Natter on Wednesdays and Grow Your Own club on Thursdays. With a special section for children as well – there really will be something for everyone!

Mark will be known to many – as well as being the Chair of the Golborne Carnival Committee, he was inspired to start his own garden business whilst recovering from a brain haemorrhage three years ago.  He started off with a stall on Peter Kane Square selling plants grown in his garden, before setting up The Bloomin’ Nursery, doing landscaping and garden maintenance.

He had hoped to set up a nursery in Golborne, but has been unable to find a suitable piece of land – for now. So when he saw the bookies was vacant, the idea to bring Something Bloomin’ Different to Golborne was born.

Getting Golborne bloomin’

Over the past few weeks Mark and mum Lisa Collier have been working exhaustively transforming the space and are now really excited to be opening their doors to customers for the first time on Thursday, October 1.

“I asked lots of local people: ‘what does our high street need?’” Mark says. “Most people told me there isn’t enough shops, just takeaways and beauty salons. They all said we need something different on our high street.

“My mum loves haberdashery – she’s always wanted something like this where she can make and create for a living. I love working with plants. I saw the old William Hill shop up for let and enquired about it.

“We are working very hard to bring something new and different to our community. We hope what we are creating is something that will bring people back to Golborne high street – a place to shop, meet and support local business.”

In fact, Mark’s mum Lisa will be doing a lot of the work once Something Blooming Different opens – running the tearoom and selling her own handcrafted goods including personalised bunting, teddies and knitted items. She’s such an important part of the project that the logo for the business has even been based on her image. And both Mark and Lisa are really passionate that the shop can become a showcase for other local crafters – who are invited to sell their goods in the shop to make it as easy as possible for people to shop local.

Of course, Mark knows this venture isn’t without its risks – so he’s hoping everyone gets behind the business and helps it grow and flourish in Golborne.

He said: “I am putting everything I have into opening this shop, so of course, I’m praying it works, and praying we have everyone’s support.

“It is down to everyone who lives in our community, to give us a high street to enjoy, by shopping locally. We have a fantastic flower shop, an electrical store, Donna’s Dressing room, a printing shop and many others. Hopefully we can create the kind of high street that will attract many more independent shops to join us and really get Golborne blooming again.”

Call in and give Something Bloomin’ Different a try

The grand opening will take place on Thursday, 1 October at 8.30am. It’ll be officially opened by Mark’s good friend Billy Dyke – who helped Mark in the early days when he had his plant stall on Peter Kane Square. Call in and try one of Lisa’s homemade cakes and browse the selection of autumn/winter bedding plants – all grown in Mark’s own greenhouse. There’ll also be hand-crafted gifts and cards available to buy.

The opening hours will the be 8.30am – 5pm Monday – Saturday. You can follow Something Bloomin Different on Facebook to keep up with all the latest news.

Bring your four-legged friend on a Monday

Something Bloomin’ Different is planning dog friendly Mondays each week – so why not bring along your four-legged friend to enjoy the shop and tearoom!