Joannes Florist

My family called Joanne’s yesterday asking if it would be possible to order a basket of flowers for a funeral today — and that, due to the tube strike, it had to be ready to pick up first thing in the morning. We were told that this was no problem, the basket would be ready for 9.30am and full payment was taken.
When I arrived this morning (at 10.10am) I was told the basket hadn’t even been started because the staff had been delayed getting in because of the strike — the same one we’d been assured yesterday wouldn’t be a problem. I asked why they weren’t working on it now in a bid to get it ready, and was told they’d had to put the flowers out the front of the shop first — despite the fact this was actually already finished, and the staff member in question was instead stood at the counter eating croissants when I arrived.
I asked how long it would take to make up and was told 15 minutes — which would have meant missing the first of two strike buses I had to catch, and then my train to the funeral. All I was offered was more excuses and a half-​hearted apology.
I don’t normally leave negative reviews, but on this occasion it’s a different story. I find it unacceptable that a service was promised, with all the facts of the strike known in advance, and no provision was made to ensure this promise was kept. Had we been told this may have been an issue, we could have made other arrangements that it’s now too late for.
Florists deal solely in emotional transactions, arguably none more emotional than a funeral — and one which I am now going to empty-​handed, rather than with the final declaration of love that had been intended.
I won’t be coming back here again.

The last time I bought beautiful flowers for my mother from there. They lasted for a long time and we both enjoyed them. The prices are average for me and If there is another occasion I will go again there. I recommend it, because the attitude that you will receive is friendly and will make you smile.

Used to live one street away from Joanne’s and despite moving away still buy my flowers from here — she’s very reasonably priced (I would never buy my flowers from a supermarket!) and her flowers last better than the blooms available from nearby Columbia Road. Always happy to help and even gives my kids free flowers.

My years in the Netherlands means that buying flowers in London has always been a sad business for me. I’d pretty much given up and now feel like an idiot for not noticing Joanne’s Florist next to the bigger tat shops on the square.
They were very busy with orders when I went in on Saturday, so couldn’t giftwrap my bouquet, though they offered to have it ready at 5, too late for last minute me. They were very helpful otherwise. Especially considering that I was useless at describing what I wanted. Um, something cheerful? Which had her going in and out of the shop a few times to get something she was happy with. It was a beautiful bouquet in the end.
And after all that, I forgot to take the flowers to the birthday girl in my haste to catch the train. I did say I was an idiot. But I can tell you the flowers are lasting well. :-)

A bit of colour in an otherwise grey corner of Bethnal Green. Bethnal Green is as name suggests, blessed with plenty a tree and green space but Roman Road sadly doesn’t share in this blessing and can be rather lugubrious and down right depressing especially after market hours. But this little florist is a tardis of all things floral. The narrow shop is lined with shelves groaning under the weight of potted bulbs and luscious, orchids. And below is a bank of cut flowers, regal, rich stems dotted in amongst clouds of those little white filler flowers billowing out the door. Phew for this oasis.

Settled in a small little corner on Roman Road, Joanne’s has a decent collection of plants and flowers including bouquets. So if you live around Bethnal Green, it’s a nice place to pick up bunch flowers from here before you head home. Though not as economical as the bigger supermarket rates, its not that pricey either. Difference of 50p to a pound maybe.