End of an era as pharmacy closes after more than 200 years of dispensing help
A shop in Battle closed this week after more than 200 years of trading as a chemist.
The Old Pharmacy in the High Street, which is owned by Robert and Margaret Emeleus, started off as a chemist in the 1740s.
The couple have owned the business since 1903.
Mrs Emeleus said: "During its life, apart from selling medicines, the building had also been home to a dame school, sold musical instruments, groceries and gunpowder, and was also said to house a brazier.
"There were many owners of the premises during that time, but the first worthy of note was a William Harrold, chemist and druggist, who lived there with his family, and sold the business to Karl Henry Emeleus who signed the lease of the premises on Bonfire Night 1903."
Karl is the grandfather of the current owner Robert, who practiced pharmacy with his father Tony, and wife Margaret, until the business was sold to Moss Pharmacy in 1997.
Moss subsequently merged with Boots, which has operated the chemist over the past couple of years and this week moved elsewhere in Battle.
Mrs Emeleus said: "The building dates back to the 15th century.
"There are still in existence many of the old apothecary drawers, a leech jar, and traditional glass bottles and equipment associated with traditional dispensing.
"There are also dispensing books dating back to 1857, which themselves are records of many of the old Battle families, and indeed evidence of the occupants of Battle Abbey, ordering such things as 'plate polish'.
"In 1948 the National Health Act came into being and from then on the majority of medicines were dispensed under the now nationally accepted National Health Service."
The adjoining 18th century building, a one time clock shop, then a store selling toys and games, followed by a suede cottage industry, became part of the whole unit in the early 1980s, selling perfumes and toiletries for 25 years.
In 1993 the Emeleus family and staff celebrated 90 years as a family business, and all dressed in Edwardian costume for the day.
Mrs Emeleus said: "Residents of Battle were very loyal to the Old Pharmacy, and it is with a degree of sadness that we recognize the end of an era."
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Weather for Hastings
Monday 28 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
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