Chichester BID launches Chichester in Bloom to celebrate 30 years of the Festival Of Flowers
Published 08:15 on 23 Apr 2026
Chichester BID is bringing the city into full bloom this June, launching a new city-wide initiative to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the renowned Festival of Flowers at Chichester Cathedral.
For the first time, Chichester in Bloom will extend the spirit of the much-loved festival beyond the Cathedral walls and into the city centre, with businesses transforming their shopfronts into a trail of floral creativity.
Timed to coincide with the Festival of Flowers on 3 6 June, which draws tens of thousands of visitors to the area, Chichester in Bloom will see more than 15 city centre businesses invest in bespoke floral installations, created in collaboration with the citys independent florists, Flower and Hedge Rose. The displays will launch on the opening day of the festival, creating a striking and cohesive visual experience across the citys streets.
Visitors are invited to step beyond the Cathedral and explore the trail of floral moments, discovering imaginative shopfront displays at every turn - from elegant window installations and artistic interpretations to creative designs that bring colour, scent and personality into the streets.
Participating businesses range from galleries, cafés and salons to independent retailers across the city. These include Pallant House Gallery, Waterstones, Q Hair & Beauty, Winters Moon, Gold Arts, Dartagnan, The Jewellery and Watch Company, Hannah Prior, Ebony, The Bazaar, Brasserie Blanc, Elizabeth Miles and Chichester Festival Theatre as well as Flower and Hedge Rose - each offering their own interpretation of the floral theme.
Alongside the trail, a number of businesses including The Ivy Chichester, Brasserie Blanc and Fernleigh will also be offering floral-inspired menus, themed dishes and drinks, and creative workshops, giving visitors even more ways to experience Chichester in Bloom - from relaxed brunches and afternoon teas to hands-on activities and evening dining.
To help visitors make the most of their experience, Chichester BID is creating a dedicated Chichester in Bloom webpage, where a downloadable trail map will bring together all participating locations, alongside ideas for where to eat, drink and spend time throughout the week.
Set against Chichesters pedestrianised streets, rich history and distinctive independent businesses, Chichester in Bloom offers an added reason to linger longer - encouraging visitors to make a day, or even a long weekend, of their visit.
Natasha McLeod, CEO of Chichester BID, said:
Chichester in Bloom is a wonderful opportunity to build on the energy and appeal of the Festival of Flowers, helping to bring even more vibrancy into the city centre. By working together, businesses are able to enhance their shopfronts and create a more engaging experience for visitors during this busy time. We hope the initiative encourages people to spend longer in Chichester, explore more of what the city has to offer and enjoy the creativity and variety of our local business community. As it grows, there is also exciting potential to develop Chichester in Bloom further through new partnerships and collaborations.
Lisa Sheridan, owner of Flower, one of the citys collaborating florists, added:
Its incredibly exciting to be working with so many businesses on their individual installations. Each shopfront will have its own personality, and flowers allow us to bring that to life in a really creative way.
Theres a real sense of pride from the businesses involved, and we hope visitors enjoy discovering each display as they explore the city.
The celebration will continue beyond the Festival of Flowers, with Oxmarket Contemporary hosting its Say It With Flowers exhibition, inspired by this years festival theme, Natures Embrace. Running from 9 21 June across both galleries, the exhibition will showcase work by local artists, including nature-inspired floral paintings, pottery, glass, crafts and jewellery - offering visitors and residents alike the chance to continue enjoying the citys creative response to the season.
Further details, including the full list of participating businesses and a downloadable trail map, will be available soon at ChichesterBID.co.uk.
