Wild Ones Cut Flower Co: from street market to Mumbles pop-up shop
Wild Ones Cut Flower Company, founded by Faye Cooper in 2021, is a familiar face at Marina Market and Mumbles Market. Offering seasonal British cut flowers between March and October (and imported flowers out of season), Wild Ones prioritises sustainability. Their flowers are free of pesticides, grown in peat-free compost, and arranged without floral foam, making them a perfect choice for environmentally conscious customers.
About Faye’s business
Faye’s journey into flower farming began in 2019. At the end of her maternity leave she decided to pursue her lifelong passion for horticulture. She enrolled in a practical horticulture course with the RHS, where she gained the skills and knowledge to transform her dream into reality.
During her studies, Faye found inspiration from small-scale British flower farmers. Their sustainable growing practices and stunning fields of blooms resonated with her. After earning her qualification in 2020, Faye worked at a market garden growing vegetables for local businesses. It was during this period that she began to explore flower farming more seriously, sowing the first seeds for Wild Ones in her back garden.
By 2023, Faye’s flower farming business was thriving. The market garden where she worked gave her a dedicated space to grow flowers, and she joined Flowers From The Farm, an award-winning network that connects growers of seasonal, locally grown cut flowers across the UK.
Exploring a pop-up shop with Urban Foundry
In 2023, Faye contacted Urban Foundry’s PopUp Wales project to explore the possibility of running her business from a shop. The flexible nature of a pop-up space suited her seasonal business model perfectly, allowing her to test the waters without the long-term commitment of a traditional lease.
Urban Foundry worked closely with Faye to secure a prime location on Newton Road in Mumbles. They supported her through process, assisted with red tape, and helped design and fit out the space. The result was a beautifully branded shop that reflected Faye’s vision and goals.
A new space in Mumbles
The Mumbles pop-up shop has been a huge success. Customers have commented on the shop’s welcoming atmosphere and alignment with the local community’s values. The shop has also boosted Faye’s confidence in her business, proving there’s a strong demand for her flowers and plants.
Faye said, “I’m so proud and excited about this shop. All my customers have commented on how lovely the space is, and how well it fits with Mumbles. I couldn’t have done this by myself. People in Mumbles have been wanting a florist like mine, and they all say it. I’m here until January and then I’ll use the next few months to grow flowers. I’d love to go into another pop-up space. I’ve been doing Christmas wreath classes too, which have been really popular.”
The impact of PopUp Wales
Tara Tarapetian from Urban Foundry said, “This is one of my favourite shops we have worked on. Helping small businesses overcome the challenges of leasing and setting up meanwhile spaces makes such a difference. It’s been lovely to see how Faye’s business has grown. We make sure our pop-up spaces feel high quality, which improves the experience for both business owners and customers. We’re always excited to see the economic impact on both the small business and the local area.”
About PopUp Wales
This project is an Urban Foundry initiative delivered in collaboration with Swansea Council. It is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Follow Wild Ones on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wild_onescutflowerco
