History of Jeyes Pharmacy

Jeyes - Past & Present

David ' s ancestors, Apothecaries since 1635, invented remedies and disinfectants for all. Jeyes Fluid, patented by John Jeyes in 1877, is still sold worldwide today. The family firm of Philadephus Jeyes, in The Drapery, Northampton, was sold when David was still a student in the 60's.

Since the early 1900s there has been a village chemist at No 27 The Square, Earls Barton. In the 70's the shop was a drugstore only. It was fortunate therefore, that 20 years later in 1981 David and Georgina found EARLS BARTON to be the perfect place for their own village pharmacy, JEYES CHEMIST.

Over the years the JEYES CHEMIST has developed into more than a thriving village pharmacy. Along side it there is now a wonderful gift shop, coffee shop, model exhibition, museum and much, much more. It truly is an interesting visitor attraction.

In 1997 with the closure of The Natwest Bank next door, David and Georgina saw an opportunity to extend and open The Keepsake Gift Shop. A Victorian cottage filled with keepsakes and gifts for all the family. A few years later came the The Apothocoffee, a well-established friendly meeting place for locals and visitors for 18 years. With the closure of the high street banks, Jeyes became an agency for the Market Harborough Building Society, providing the village with a unique bank and a friendly chitchat amongst the toys and books. The game of Trivial Pursuits features us as the only chemist in the country with a building society!

There's never a dull moment behind the chemist door . ..When a local dolls house shop was closing down, Georgina Jeyes decided she would provide the new home and opened The Dolly Lodge, named after the Jeyes family home, Holly Lodge in Northampton.

In 2007 yet another expansion began. A large conservatory is home to " Potty About Flowers " , The Blossom Tea Lounge extending The Apothocoffee Shop and a walled courtyard garden for outdoor refreshments.

In 2009, as David and Georgina were watching the evening news a particular clip caught their imagination. A gentleman, George Jennings' aged 83 was selling his model funfair and village that he had spent the last 20 years building. It was a fully working model funfair with all the traditional rides and music. Georgina didn't hesitate and knew it belonged upstairs with The Dolly Lodge and Museum. It has brought people from far and wide all who leave with a big smile on their faces .

If life is like a rollercoaster...you may as well sit at the front!!!

For now, 2009, the Jeyes enterprises remain busy and a friendly place to work, visit and enjoy. David and Georgina are thrilled that their two daughters, Philippa and Anna have joined the family firm. Georgina's mother, Marie sits out the back and keeps check on all the bills and their son Daniel is the family accountant. The two newest arrivals into the Jeyes team are Philippa's children, Maisie and Jack.

Jeyes of Earls Barton is a true family affair!

We hope you visit us soon - a warm welcome awaits you.