News Beat
Darlington florist has plans for ‘flower vending machine’
Caroline Baines, the owner of Flower Fairy Florists on North Road, wants to install the 24-hour machine on the front concourse of her shop.
Mrs Baines, 41, has owned the shop for 15 years and said the vending machine would help to serve customers at times she is unable to be at the shop herself.
“I have seen them down in London,” she said.
“I work on my own, and sometimes I have some customers who might want to pick something up while I’m on the school run.”
The vending machine can hold up to eight bouquets and will be fitted with a touchscreen and card payments.
Speaking about how the machine would work, Mrs Baines said: “People would pick the flowers they want and pay by card, then it would be dispensed like a sweet vending machine would.
“It’s something a bit different, they have them in many other countries,” she added.
The vending machine will not affect the opening hours of the flower shop.
