A NEW Test Valley flower farm, Stockbridge Blooms, has received a business incentive grant of £750.

Kate McGrane set up her flower farm as a career change, after 30 years working as a nurse. She’s starting out with a focus on dahlias as a cut flower but will then expand the range to extend the season and plans to sell dahlia tubers and seedlings, before replanting the dahlia crop.

This year, she has been selling some flowers through Andover market and local farm shops. She also sells bunches of flowers at the garden gate and PYO is also available. Dahlias are becoming hugely popular, so it is a great opportunity for the customer to buy locally-grown flowers.

Kate said: “It is great to receive a council grant to support my new business venture and I have plans to expand the growing area in my garden and to increase the quantity and variety of flowers for 2024."

Cllr Alison Johnston, who presented the cheque to Kate, said: “I am pleased to award the business incentive grant to Kate to help her flower business grow. The grant schemes are a great opportunity for those wishing to set up new businesses in Test Valley.”

Business Incentive Grants are for new businesses located in Test Valley and must be applied for before you start your business. They will be paid once you have been up and running for six months.