The building is an early 19th century structure and originally opened as a watchmaker in 1812.
This was soon acquired by John Rayner in 1815 and was opened as a Chemists. In 1830 John set on his nephew, Mark Ward Cooper as an apprentice, Mark was later to be made a partner in the business.
Mark took on the store following his uncles death and was quite an important figure in the community , being elected to the local government board in 1863 until 1871. Cooper died in 1872.
The Chemist was next run from 1878 by by Robert Gatenby and his wife Catherine. Following Robert's death in 1908, his Son Robert J.r. ran the Chemist Shop alongside Catherine. The chemist would be run by the Gatenby family for almost the next 100 years.
This remained a Chemists until 2002 and since then has been a book store, an antiques store and a gift store.
The shop is a Grade II listed building, officially recognised for its architectural and historic significance since 1976.
It has some fascinating period details, including carved heating grills under the counter and cellars lined with stone believed to be from Bridlington Priory.
We have fixtures and fittings in place from the early 1900s as well as some of the original fittings and chemists bottles which are on display.
You are welcome to come in and explore the shop!
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