The Flower Centre on Oak Street, in business for the past 17 years, has been forced out by a significant rent rise on its premises.

With the Bouquet Residence on Norwich Street shutting its doors earlier this year, Fakenham will lose the last of its specialist flower shops, writes Jim Harding.

Owner Brenda Ravencroft has been in the trade for some 40 years and formerly ran shops in Holt and North Elmham.

A letter to all her customers said: "Unfortunately, a large increase in rent and other overheads have made it impossible to continue trading from the Fakenham shop without passing on large increases in flower prices to our customers, which we feel would be unfair."

The Flower Centre is due to close on Saturday, August 2, with the loss of two jobs.

Mrs Ravencroft has pledged to continue serving her Fakenham customers from her North Elmham business in Station Road.

Chamber of Trade president Pat Cooke said it was worrying that the loss of both outlets meant there would now be a significant number of empty premises in the town centre.