• Welcome to this forum . We are a worldwide group with a common interest in Birmingham and its history. While here, please follow a few simple rules. We ask that you respect other members, thank those who have helped you and please keep your contributions on-topic with the thread.

    We do hope you enjoy your visit. BHF Admin Team

Six Ways Aston

A slightly clearer view of that posted in post #30. The date is given as c1904. The sign of the premises to the left is a "Cash Chemist".This was where pharmacies, particularly Boots Cash Chemists, allowed customers to purchase medications and other items directly from shelves, paying cash at the till.

View attachment 202861
Maybe I’m missing something, how is a cash chemist different from today?
 
This is how it's explained in relation to Boots the Chemist.

Jesse Boot began to sell patent medicines at discounted prices for cash (rather than credit, as most chemists would have done at this time). Poorer patients would have, before cash chemists, been given credit for the expensive medicines that were sold. So as well as being ill they fell into debt.
 
Last edited:
This is how it's explained in relation to Boots the Chemist.

Jesse Boot began to sell patent medicines at discounted prices for cash (rather than credit, as most chemists would have done at this time). Poorer patients would have, before cash chemists, been given credit for the expensive medicines that were sold. So as well as being ill they fell into debt.
Thank you! I did not realize that credit was offered back in the day….
 
Must have been a similar arrangement to "on the slate" in grocery stores etc or "on tick". From memory, still in existence at least into the 1950s/60s here Richard.
 
Last edited:
Must have been a similar arrangement to "on the slate" in grocery stores etc or "on tick". From memory, still in existence at least into the 1950s/60s here Richard.
Yes, I remember on the “tick” my uncle did that at his greengrocers at 264 Litchfield Road. It was a very informal process sometimes nothing written down, yet at the end of each week when it was reconciled, the ££ were never questioned. Always wondered about that! That would be mid 1950’s.
Thank you!
 
Back
Top