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Draft:Cornwell's Chemists

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  • Comment: This draft relies excessively on the company's own website, potentially compromising neutrality. Ca talk to me! 12:43, 14 March 2025 (UTC)
  • Comment: The method of referencing is rather peculiar. Also, the links in the 'Citations' section just point to website home pages. Please see WP:REFB and WP:ILC for advice on the preferred referencing method of dynamic inline citations and footnotes. DoubleGrazing (talk) 11:00, 14 March 2025 (UTC)
Cornwell's Chemists
Company typePrivate company
IndustryPharmacy
Founded1835 (1835) (as Baines' Chemists)
1884 (1884) (as T. C. Cornwell, Chemist)
April 14, 1939 (1939-04-14) (incorporated as T. C. Cornwell Ltd)
FounderEdward Baines (original founder)
Thomas Chinsura Cornwell (namesake)
Headquarters
Staffordshire
,
England
Key people
Jonathan Mitchell (Chairman)
Julian Mitchell (Director)
ProductsPrescription medication, healthcare products
Websitecornwells.co.uk
Cornwell's Chemists
Company typePrivate company
IndustryPharmacy
Founded1835 (1835) (as Baines' Chemists)
1884 (1884) (as T. C. Cornwell, Chemist)
April 14, 1939 (1939-04-14) (incorporated as T. C. Cornwell Ltd)
FounderEdward Baines (original founder)
Thomas Chinsura Cornwell (namesake)
Headquarters
Staffordshire
,
England
Key people
Jonathan Mitchell (Chairman)
Julian Mitchell (Director)
ProductsPrescription medication, healthcare products
Websitecornwells.co.uk

Cornwell's Chemists is a family-owned pharmacy chain based in Staffordshire, England. Established in 1835, it operates multiple branches across the county and is one of the oldest continuously operating pharmacies in the region.[1]

History

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Early origins (1835–1884)

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The business traces its origins to an apothecary shop established in 1835 at 14 Piccadilly, Hanley (Stoke-on-Trent).[2] Contemporary records show that Edward Baines, the original proprietor, advertised himself as "late Manager for Hooper & Co., Pall Mall, London – Chemists to the Queen [and] Prince and Princess of Wales".[3] Local trade directories from the mid-1800s list E. Baines as a chemist at Piccadilly in Hanley, confirming the business's continuous operation during this period.[4]

Cornwell Family era (1884–1939)

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In 1884, the pharmacy was purchased by Thomas Chinsura Cornwell, a qualified pharmacist, after which the store's name changed to T. C. Cornwell, Chemist.[5] According to family records, T.C. Cornwell was born in 1857 and trained as a pharmacist after a brief maritime career.[6]

By the turn of the century, directories show T.C. Cornwell listed as a Pharmaceutical Chemist with multiple addresses in Hanley.[7] This suggests expansion beyond the original location.

The Registers of Pharmaceutical Chemists list "Cornwell, Thomas C." of Hanley as registered and in good standing during the late 19th century, verifying his professional qualifications.[8]

Early 20th-century advertisements reveal the pharmacy's marketing approach. A 1906 newspaper advert promotes a "Medical Dictionary and Complete Cash Price List" and even appeals to prospective brides and grooms with the tagline "Buy your ring from [us] and you will win a good wife".[9]

Shaw family ownership (1919–present)

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In 1919, Cornwell advertised for a partner, a position filled by Herbert Clement Shaw, a newly qualified pharmacist and decorated World War I veteran.[10] Shaw joined as a partner and, in 1921, purchased the business outright when T.C. Cornwell retired and moved to Penzance.[11]

The firm formally incorporated as T. C. Cornwell Ltd on 14 April 1939.[12] Under Herbert C. Shaw's leadership, the business grew into a small chain. Mid-century newspapers show multiple Cornwell's branches in Staffordshire.[13] By the 1950s, the company had stores in Newcastle-under-Lyme and Stoke, reflecting geographic expansion.[14]

The business remained family-operated through successive generations. Herbert C. Shaw's son, Jon Anthony Shaw, qualified as a pharmacist in 1953 and joined the practice.[15] Later, in the 1970s, management passed to Peter Taylor (a long-serving director) and eventually to Shaw's grandsons, Charles Julian Mitchell and Jonathan Mitchell.[16]

In November 1999, T. C. Cornwell Ltd officially changed its name to Cornwell's Chemists Ltd, embracing the family name as its brand identity.[17] This coincided with Jonathan Mitchell becoming Chairman.[18]

Modern operations

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By the early 2000s, Cornwell's Chemists operated six to seven branches across Staffordshire.[19] The company expanded partly through acquisition – for example, in 2009 Cornwell's Chemists acquired Cowern & Hartshorne's pharmacies in Chadsmoor and Great Wyrley.[20][21]

The company's current branches include locations in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stafford (Holmcroft and Weeping Cross), Cannock (Chadsmoor), Great Wyrley, and Stoke-on-Trent.[22]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Cornwell's played a significant role in community health initiatives. Great Wyrley Parish Council minutes from February 3, 2021, commend Cornwell's for running a local vaccination clinic, noting: "The Chairman gave a full report on the operation being run by Cornwell's Chemists in association with the NHS to roll out the first tranche of the Covid-19 vaccination".[23]

In recent years, Cornwell's has modernized its services. In 2022, a 24/7 prescription collection kiosk was installed at the Weeping Cross, Stafford branch, unveiled by Lord Stafford.[24]

Recognition and awards

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In 2012, Cornwell's was an official local sponsor of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations in Staffordshire.[25]

In 2015, the company was "Highly Commended – Retailer of the Year" by the Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce.[26] The same year, pharmacist Helen Watton of Cornwell's won a regional "I Love My Pharmacist" award from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.[27]

References

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  1. ^ "Newcastle-under-Lyme Town Report 2021". Newcastle-under-Lyme. Retrieved 2023-01-01. Cornwell's owns seven branches across Staffordshire
  2. ^ "Our History - Cornwell's Chemists Timeline". Cornwell's Chemists. Retrieved 2023-01-01. Cornwell's Chemists traces back to an apothecary shop established in 1835
  3. ^ "Baines' Chemist advertisement". Evening Sentinel. Stoke-on-Trent. 1838. p. 3. Retrieved 2023-01-01.
  4. ^ White's Directory of Staffordshire. Sheffield: William White. 1851. p. 371. Baines, Edward, Chemist, Piccadilly, Hanley
  5. ^ "Our Heritage - The Cornwell Era". Cornwell's Chemists. Retrieved 2023-01-01. In 1884, the Hanley shop was purchased by Thomas Chinsura Cornwell, a qualified pharmacist
  6. ^ "Thomas Chinsura Cornwell Biography". Cornwell's Chemists. Retrieved 2023-01-01.
  7. ^ "Staffordshire Directory c.1896 - Hanley Chemists". University of Leicester Special Collections. Retrieved 2023-01-01. Cornwell, Thomas C., pharmaceutical chemist, 14 Piccadilly and 58 Hope Street
  8. ^ "Register of Pharmaceutical Chemists 1895". University of Leicester Special Collections. Retrieved 2023-01-01. Cornwell, Thomas C., Hanley, Staffordshire
  9. ^ "To Those About to Marry". Evening Sentinel. Stoke-on-Trent. 7 May 1906. p. 4. Retrieved 2023-01-01. Established 1835... To Those About to Marry - Buy your ring from T.C. Cornwell
  10. ^ "The Shaw Family - H.C. Shaw". Cornwell's Chemists. Retrieved 2023-01-01. In 1919, Cornwell advertised for a partner, a position filled by Herbert Clement Shaw
  11. ^ "Acquisition by H.C. Shaw". Cornwell's Chemists. Retrieved 2023-01-01. In 1921, Shaw purchased the business outright when T.C. Cornwell retired to Penzance
  12. ^ "Company Registration - T.C. Cornwell Ltd". Companies House. GOV.UK. Retrieved 2023-01-01. Company incorporated 14 April 1939
  13. ^ "T. C. Cornwell Ltd. Advertisement". Staffordshire Sentinel. 14 March 1940. p. 3. Retrieved 2023-01-01. T. C. Cornwell Ltd., 14 Piccadilly, Hanley and 28 Snow Hill, Shelton
  14. ^ Kelly's Directory of Staffordshire. London: Kelly's Directories Ltd. 1953. p. 452. Cornwell's Chemists branches in Newcastle-under-Lyme and Stoke
  15. ^ "Jon Anthony Shaw - Second Generation". Cornwell's Chemists. Retrieved 2023-01-01. Herbert C. Shaw's son, Jon Anthony Shaw, qualified as a pharmacist in 1953
  16. ^ "Third Generation Leadership". Cornwell's Chemists. Retrieved 2023-01-01. Management passed to Shaw's grandsons, Charles Julian Mitchell and Jonathan Mitchell
  17. ^ "Name Change Filing - T.C. Cornwell Ltd to Cornwell's Chemists Ltd". Companies House. GOV.UK. Retrieved 2023-01-01. Name changed from T.C. Cornwell Ltd to Cornwell's Chemists Ltd on 15 November 1999
  18. ^ "Leadership Transition 1999". Cornwell's Chemists. Retrieved 2023-01-01. Jonathan Mitchell became Chairman in 1999
  19. ^ "Newcastle-under-Lyme Town Report 2021". Newcastle-under-Lyme. Retrieved 2023-01-01. Cornwell's owns seven branches across Staffordshire
  20. ^ "2009 Acquisitions - Cowern & Hartshorne". Cornwell's Chemists. Retrieved 2023-01-01. In 2009 Cornwell's Chemists acquired Cowern & Hartshorne's pharmacies
  21. ^ "Change of Ownership - Local Pharmacy". Great Wyrley Observer. 15 July 2009. p. Business section. Cowern & Hartshorne pharmacy now operating as Cornwell's Chemists
  22. ^ "NHS England Pharmacy Directory 2021 - Staffordshire". NHS England. Retrieved 2023-01-01. Cornwell's Chemists branches in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stafford, Cannock, Great Wyrley, and Stoke-on-Trent
  23. ^ "Minutes of the Council Meeting - February 3, 2021". Great Wyrley Parish Council. Retrieved 2023-01-01. The Chairman gave a full report on the operation being run by Cornwell's Chemists in association with the NHS to roll out the first tranche of the Covid-19 vaccination
  24. ^ "Cornwell's Chemists launches 24/7 prescription kiosk in Stafford". InYourArea News. 6 August 2022. Retrieved 2023-01-01. A 24/7 prescription collection kiosk was installed at the Weeping Cross, Stafford branch, unveiled by Lord Stafford
  25. ^ "Queen's Diamond Jubilee Celebrations". Staffordshire Newsletter. June 2012. p. 7. Official sponsors include local pharmacy chain Cornwell's Chemists
  26. ^ "2015 Business Awards - Results". Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce. Retrieved 2023-01-01. Highly Commended – Retailer of the Year: Cornwell's Chemists
  27. ^ "I Love My Pharmacist Awards - Regional Winners" (Press release). London: Royal Pharmaceutical Society. July 2015. Retrieved 2023-01-01. Helen Watton of Cornwell's Chemists won the West Midlands regional award
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