AN OLD Hill pharmacy which has been running in Halesowen Road for almost 80 years is celebrating its 25th anniversary under its current owners.

Staff at Peaches Pharmacy are hosting an open event tomorrow (Thursday, January 18) as a way of thanking all the patients who have helped keep the business going over the years.

Pharmacist and owner, Narendra Chouhan, will be raising money for lung cancer research during the day, while party food and a drinks sale will also be available.

Mr Chouhan said: “The anniversary has given us a great deal of opportunity to reflect on the history of Peaches and the building itself.

“We’ve been inviting our customers to share their stories about the chemist, many of whom have now become friends, and hearing about the billiards room that was on this site before the war, and the furniture storage area that occupied what is now our stock room.

“It’s rallying to think that we can be part of the narrative of Halesowen Road and that we’re able to maintain this building in a manner befitting its reputation as one of the oldest independent pharmacies in the area.”

Between 1940 and 1981 the chemist was known as Jack Powell’s – presided over by Dr Jack, a local and much-loved pharmacist.

After Dr Jack’s retirement, the chemist was then taken over by Roger Danson, who renamed the store Danson’s Pharmacy and undertook extensive work on the building.

Ill health caused Mr Danson to retire in 1993 and the building was then taken on by Mr Chouhan, who continued to modernise the building.

But despite all the changes over the past 80 years, local retiree Christine Quinton worked at all three incarnations of the chemist until her retirement in 2000.

Halesowen News:

Christine pictured working at the pharmacy in 1994.

Mr Chouhan added: “The celebration at Peaches – as well as documenting the building’s fascinating history – is testament to the dedication and resilience of the now rare local, independent chemist in an increasingly challenging world of cut-backs and insecurity.

“Peaches Pharmacy would like to thank all of its customers and wishes to invite everyone along to take part in our anniversary celebrations to bring in the next 25 years.”