Come and see the critters at Universal Flowers!

Universal Flowers on Commercial Street has had a makeover. The basement beneath Universal Stores is now a light and bright, welcoming place, with shelves overflowing – not just with floral arrangements both fresh and fake, but also with wines, ornaments, vases and all sorts of extras.

This is a great place to find that special extra something for your house this Christmas, or a present for that someone who has everything.

“We offer lots of lovely floral things for Christmas,” says proprietor Mags Waldie.

“Table centres are particularly popular because they’re something you can give yourself or to somebody else. We make them up with candles or Christmassy flowers, reds and greens, holly and berries, fir cones…”

If you’re not really into traditional Christmas colours and decorations, though, don’t worry – Mags can make up table centres, baskets or bouquets to your specifications.

“If somebody comes in and says ‘My colour scheme is blue’ then I can make them something to go with that. Everything is made right here, so everything is unique and individual. Unless you want three pieces all the same of course!’

And as an Interflora member, Mags can help you get your chosen flower arrangement anywhere in the world.

Flowers are not all that’s on offer at Universal, though. Upstairs is Universal Stores, which Mags describes as ‘everything you want for sweeties for all ages’, and she combines the two to create hampers and baskets, filled with your choice of fruit, sweets, biscuits, chocolate – even wine or champagne; whatever you want can go in.

And if you don’t fancy carrying it all home, that’s not a problem – all flowers and hampers can be collected or delivered.

If you need help making your choice of flowers or other fancies, Mags will be happy to discuss your needs in the new sitting area in the shop, which has proved very popular with customers wanting a little privacy and needing time to choose. 

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Mags is particularly excited to be welcoming some extra special visitors to Universal Flowers this week, when Peerie Critters arrive for their Christmas holiday.

These unique toys are designed and handmade on Shetland from recycled materials, and each little creature is a complete individual. But they’re in the shop for one week only from Thursday, 6 December, so make sure you take the children along to meet them.

Text and photos by Olivia Abbott