Boots The Chemists

Boots is the dominant British pharmacist chain, with outlets in most high streets throughout the country. In recent years they have diversified greatly from the traditional pharmacy, and offer one-hour photo-processing, and are opticians, as well as selling some home appliances in certain stores.

Boots were founded in Nottingham by John Boot in 1849. Their current logo is based on a design made by his son Jesse Boot in the 1870s. The chain was established during that time, and for the first time they became official dispensing chemists, stocking prescription medicines. By the onset of the First World War there were over five hundred Boots.

Boots have also diversified into research and manufacturing drugs also. They discovered ibuprofen, a painkiller.