ONE of the most fascinating family concerns in the county was born from a family tradition, originally dating back to 1635.
David Jeyes followed in the footsteps of his ancestors, Philadelphus and John Jeyes, by opening, with his wife, Georgina, a pharmacy, Jeyes Chemist, in 1981 in Earls Barton just a few miles from home.
Today it is known as Jeyes of Earls Barton, a small visitor attraction in the heart of Northamptonshire comprising of a gift shop, coffee shop, museums, to name but a few.
Turning back the pages, David had started working on the counter at Philadelphus Jeyes in The Drapery, Northampton as a holiday job way back in the Sixties. After a career in teaching at Spratton Hall he wished to follow his family roots in pharmacy. By then, married with small children, completing his pharmacy degree was a quite a challenge.
Georgina’s background was totally different, her weekend job was serving on the petrol pumps of her father’s garage in Long Buckby and then travelling for the family business, Taylors Coaches. The decision to open a traditional village chemist together was an obvious next step and one they have never regretted.
It was in their children’s genes to help out, so in 1981 Philippa aged nine and Dan, eight, spent their holidays unpacking boxes and getting ready for the opening. When Anna came along, the family tradition took hold and she soon had a Saturday job helping in the new Apothocoffee Shop with her Nan Marie Taylor – who remained part of the family business until her early 90s.
After years of travelling and working away Philippa and Anna decided that ‘family is where their heart is’ and joined the team. In 2011, proud of their family history, Georgina, Philippa and Anna opened The Jeyes Heritage & Pharmacy Museum – a collection of pharmacy memorabilia dating back to the 19th century and the family tree showing their ancestral tie with the inventor of Jeyes Fluid, John Jeyes. More recently they have developed The Apothocoffee Shop into an award-winning venue and in 2016 won The Food & Beverage Achiever of the Year at The Northamptonshire Food & Drink Awards.
All five grandchildren know every inch of the shop as they were almost born on site – cuddled and nurtured by customers and visiting representatives alike. Maisie, aged 10, is a familiar face on the counter in Jeylatos, serving the ice-cream and is a chip off the old blocks.
While David can now be found either on the tennis court or on Grandpa duties, Georgina still enjoys the banter and fun of working with her daughters and insists her new ideas are given air time – so who knows what this close-knit family business is going to come up with next!
Jeyes of Earls Barton is open Monday to Saturday, 8.30am-5.30pm, telephone 01604 810289 or visit www.jeyesofearlsbarton.co.uk
