Our Story...Our Store
Mad Lilies has always been about more than any one person. It’s a business with heart, character, and a personality all of its own.
Independently owned and rooted in Banstead, Mad Lilies has been part of the High Street for over three decades, with a flower shop trading from No.84 for more than 30 years. As the business has grown, so too has the space — and we moved in 2024 to our new home at No.127 High Street, on the sunny side of the street, giving us room to evolve while staying true to our roots.
Alongside our flowers, this evolution has led to the creation of Mad Lilies At Home — a carefully curated collection of artisan gifts and homeware, chosen with the same thoughtful eye we bring to our floristry. Perfect for last-minute gifts that still feel considered, or for adding something special to your home as the seasons change.
For our regular customers, rest assured: flowers will always remain our first love and the beating heart of the shop. Every day, they take centre stage.
Set in the heart of bustling Banstead village, our light-filled space has been lovingly renovated and reimagined by its current custodian, Alison Howe, and her exceptionally talented team. Today, Mad Lilies is a destination for those seeking something a little more — flowers, gifts, and homeware that feel individual, thoughtful, and anything but off-the-shelf.
About Alison
As I write this, it’s hard to believe that we’re celebrating 14 years since I became the custodian of Mad Lilies. Time has moved quickly, and so much has changed along the way, yet it feels as though this wonderful store and I have been intertwined for far longer — almost as if we’ve grown up together.
Flowers have always been part of my story. My late mum and grandmother ran a floristry business together in Belfast and creativity, colour, and flowers were woven into everyday life. Despite this, my own career initially took a different direction, leading me into event management, sales and marketing within the pharmaceutical industry.
It wasn’t until my mum passed away that something quietly shifted. As I spent time back home, reminiscing with family and friends about her natural creativity and instinctive way with flowers, I began to wonder whether that same floristry gene might live in me too. When I returned to England, that small seed of an idea refused to be ignored.
I enrolled on a floristry career course with Jane Packer, and within the first five minutes, I knew my life had changed. It felt like a light had been switched on — suddenly, everything made sense. A career in flowers wasn’t just an idea anymore; it was a calling.
Finding The One
After plenty of research, long conversations (and more than a little gin), I realised that changing careers and starting a brand-new business from scratch at the age of 44 would be no small undertaking. It felt far more sensible — and creatively freeing — to find an established business that I could take forward and shape in my own way.
What followed were months of searching and viewings. Each opportunity came close, but never quite close enough. The premises were wrong, the price didn’t stack up, or — most often — the business simply didn’t feel right.
And then I got a call.
A flower shop called Mad Lilies had come up for sale in Banstead. I’ll admit, I had no idea where Banstead was — but my grandmother’s name was Lily, and that felt like a sign I couldn’t ignore. From the moment I stepped through the door, I just knew. It was the one.
It may sound like a cliché to say “the rest is history”, but that’s genuinely how it feels. Mad Lilies worked its way quietly under my skin and straight into my heart.
With the generous support of the previous owner, Lee, I learned the ropes during an intense four-month handover before taking the keys in February 2013. The years since have been the busiest — and happiest — of my life. It’s been a wild, wonderful ride, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Thank Yous
Mad Lilies has a backbone of steel, and that strength comes from its people. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to work alongside a truly exceptional team. Every person who has worn the Mad Lilies apron has brought both remarkable talent and wholehearted dedication to the shop.
My heartfelt thanks go to the current team — Katy, Rachel, Donna, Lara, Evie, Jules, Kerry and Garry — as well as to everyone who has been part of the journey before, and those who will join us in the future. Quite simply, none of this would be possible without you.
My husband, Darren, also deserves a very special mention. He has been unfailingly supportive throughout this floral rollercoaster, offering practical advice, creative vision, endless patience, and perhaps most importantly a steady supply of gin. I couldn’t have done any of this without him.
Beyond petals, tendrils, and stems, my other loves include old-school rom-coms, shouting at the television during Six Nations rugby, baking and spring-cleaning when I’m stressed, and an infinite capacity for chocolate buttons. I’m a fiercely loyal friend, a nature lover, and a bit of an adrenaline junkie especially when sailing is involved.
Darren and I now call the Surrey countryside home, and I’ve completely fallen for the landscape that surrounds us. You’ll often find me out foraging for foliage, berries, and seasonal finds in nearby fields and hedgerows, usually accompanied by Dougal and Maggie our much-loved dogs, loyal companions, and unofficial members of the Mad Lilies customer relations team.
So, if you’re looking for fresh, seasonal flowers designed with heart and intention, do get in touch or better yet, pop in to see me and the team at Mad Lilies.
I’ll put the kettle on.
Love,
Alison x