It was 175 years ago that the UK's leading health and beauty retailer was making its humble market debut by marking the opening of its first store in Nottingham's Goose Gate. Since 1849, Boots has developed from a small herbalist shop to a an empire formed of 2,100 stores. But the household name wouldn't have survived without the millions of people that have put their health and beauty needs in the their hands.
And that's exactly how Boots has decided to celebrate its landmark anniversary - by showcasing how it moulded around the shoppers needs over the years through a captivating exhibition. "It's unusual. When you're talking about a company's anniversary, you're expecting a company history.
But we wanted to make this relevant to the people, without whom Boots wouldn't have survived 175 years, so we chose this theme which is more about them than the organisation," says Sophie Clapp, Boots Head of Archives. Get the latest What's On news straight to your phone by joining us on WhatsApp The exhibition, entitled Counter Culture, is a "local celebration" that has the development of shoppers' habits at its core, while also celebrating the work of the thousands of people who worked in the brand's factories and offices. Boot's aim in 1849 was to provide affordable healthcare for those who didn't have the money to see a doctor, prior to the NHS .
"Herbal medicine was all about using local natural ingredients and creating affordable remedies for working families. Boots later set itsel.
