After a fragrant life that spanned more than seven decades in one of the capital’s most historic locations, the landmark Parliament florists are to finally go out of business under a draft amendment tabled yesterday.

Rather surreally, the proposed move is part of a bill on civil servants’ pensions presented by the ministers of finance and public works.

If the 300-member house approves the amendment, all 10 flower shops, which are already state-owned, will pass into the ownership of Parliament to be used for its own purposes. It was unclear what the house of representatives proposes to do with the small shops.

Most of the florists — situated at the northern edge of the Parliament complex on Vassilissis Sofias Avenue, opposite the Egyptian Embassy — had already closed down following a previous eviction bid.