Boots has been in Birmingham since 1895.
The first stores opened at 51 New Street, 10 Snow Hill, 36 Summer row, 240 Coventry Road.
During the First World War hospitality was offered at various Boots cafes to wounded soldiers, as seen in the photos below.
On the 27th March 1916 around 50 men from the Harborne Hall Convalescent Home were invited by Jesse and Florence Boot to Boots Colmore Row café. Boots staff magazine Comrades in Khaki described how “The happiest of times was spent, and every member of the party showed the keenest appreciation of the provision made”.
In 1928 a perfumery salon opened in Boots New Street store. The salon hosted a variety of special events and guests.
The Bull Ring was the first indoor city-centre shopping centre in the UK. At the time, it was one of the largest enclosed shopping centres outside America. Boots opened in the Bull Ring Centre on 29th May 1964, the same day it was opened by it was opened by the Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh alongside Alderman Frank Price and Sir Herbert Manzoni.
Here are some old photos showing Boots stores in the city throughout the years:
1. Bull Ring, Birmingham, 1964
Ogilvy
2. Boots Birmingham high street
Ogilvy
3. Soldiers at Boots Colmore Row Café, 1916
Ogilvy
4. New Street, Birmingham Store, 1928
Ogilvy