From Steelworks to Sustainable Funeral Flowers 

Nikki with her creations

Nikki Lee is one of many people made redundant from Port Talbot’s Steelworks, following the closure of its blast furnaces.  

Nikki, 52, who worked as a cleaner and later in recruitment and wages, says the closure left the once bustling workplace eerily silent. 

“It’s like a ghost town”, she said. 

Determined to forge a new path, Nikki decided to start her own sustainable funeral flower business. Inspired by her time working near a crematorium, Nikki envisioned an eco-friendly alternative to traditional floral tributes. Her creations are made from recycled plastic and free from microplastic-laden oasis.

Rather than buying the flowers then discarding, her displays will be hired out then returned to be reused, offering a more sustainable and affordable option for families. 

Nikki’s creative designs can be personalised, with a range of colour options and alphabet letters to spell names. Some of her favourite displays include a Westie dog, teddy bear and football.  

Starting a business has always been an aspiration for Nikki, but with a mortgage to pay and a family to raise, it’s never been the right time. Now, with her children grown, she is ready to go for it.

Needing a bit of support with business planning, recruitment specialists Acorn by Synergie put Nikki in touch with Business Wales’s Hadi Brooks and PRIME Cymru’s Development Officer, Tracy Eynon.  

Nikki credits Tracy’s guidance as instrumental in launching her business. 

She said: “To be honest, I couldn’t have done any of this without the support of Tracy.” 

With aspirations to expand her reach, Nikki plans to utilize the Tata Transition Fund to develop brochures for funeral companies, promoting her sustainable offerings. She also wants to create even more amazing designs, including every breed of dog! 

To get in touch with Nikki at Farewell Flower Hire, please call 07916310889. 

If you are aged 50+ and would like to start a business, please contact us for free support. Call 01550 721813 or email enquiries@primecymru.co.uk.