Neville Booth and I have been friends for many years. I first knew him when he was general manager of Country Gardens.

I had a small vineyard and he used to buy my vines.

He was my unpaid horticultural advisor. "What's wrong with these leaves Neville?" He would tell me at glance and he knows all about flowers.

Today, Neville is proprietor of a Brighton flower business, Flower City.

A brilliant name which was in tune with our city council's aspirations. Then he had another great idea. To sell quality, fresh flowers for £1 a bunch. Simple, easy to understand, his customers enjoy the freedom of choice.

Flower City gives value for money.

The business has enjoyed a rapid growth and now has three shops with a fourth opening shortly. Sales turnover tops £1 million. This week, Flower City was offering English asters, stocks, pinks, irises, and gladioli, all at £1 a bunch, and an extraordinary range of roses, lilies and exotic flowers from all over the world.

"How do you manage to make these offers all year round?" I asked. "I can understand daffodils in the spring." "The secret is in our buying," said Neville. "Some 60 per cent of our flowers come direct from Holland where I have a skilled agent. He buys at auction." "A Dutch auction?" I asked. "Yes, Tim, a Dutch auction. Prices start at the top and as the price drops, the buyer makes his bid."

I was told the Dutch run the largest and most efficient flower markets in the world. Quality is exceptional.

Flower City places an order on Monday evening, the company will receive the flowers in Brighton in a refrigerated lorry on the Wednesday morning.

The flowers will be beautifully packed and fresh. There are no middle men.

Three days a week, Neville drives to the London markets.

It's a 2am start but he's back Brighton for breakfast, where joined him in Mac's Cafe, one of Brighton's best known "greasy spoons" and one of my favourite haunts. "How did things go today?" I asked. "Oh, not bad. I bought some nice English asters from a Norfolk grower."

I was interested in Flower City's plans for the future. I was told the company will remain in the Brighton area.

The local flower market is enormous. Neville reckons it at least £15 million, probably £20 million. So there is plenty of scope. Flower City has just introduced a new service. It is taking on Interflora and can now send fresh, cut flowers to anywhere in the country for a third less than its main competitors. Flower City blooms.