Catalogue description Henry Hodder & Co. Ltd.

Minute Books, Registers, Accounts and Wages Books, plus history pamphlet.

Henry Hodder and Co Ltd, Bristol, chemists

Deposited by Dixons per Mr.D.C.Raven, Area Manager, Westons Chemists, 19a Thomas Street, Bristol BS1 6LE

The firm was founded in 1846 by Henry Hodder who commenced business in St. Michael's Hill. In 1853 the business moved to Broad Street where it remained for fifty years. During this time Hodder pioneered the "cash chemist" idea and was the first chemist in the country to sell patent medicines at "cut" prices. The firm became a limited liability company in 1887, with its first branch, followed by others, opening in East Street, Bedminster in 1896. The main business moved to 11/12 Wine Street in 1903. In December 1927 the firm became a private limited company and acquired a controlling interest in other retail chemists, including Hedges (Chemists) Ltd. When the main shop moved to 47/8 High Street in June 1937, the business had 30 branches operating from Bristol while Hedges controlled 27 branches in the Birmingham area. In 1968 Westons, the chemists, acquired the business and later became part of Dixons' organisation.

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