Bob arrives. Selected because we had used his family firm before and they had done a great job and we felt they would do their best to resolve the issues in the building whilst respecting the heritage nuances along with trying to keep inside a measly budget for such an ambitious renovation.

First job. Carefully take down the shelving in the pharmacy. The original Victorian mahogany shelving had been taken down in a re-configuration in the 80s and replaced with chipboard / MDF surrounds and adjustable shelves on faux brass fittings. Fortunately they had respectfully retained the key architectural features that gave the pharmacy its authentic apothecary feel so these were taken to be stored off site whilst the renovations were taking place.

Second job. Demolition derby with a small d to take down partition walls of recent-ish years that are no longer needed or wanted and create the new openings in the architects drawings.

Interesting mix of finds uncovered in the chaos of unbuilding some of the building. An old apothecary bottle heralding ‘ the mixture’ which couldn’t be a truer analogy of current events. Magnificent hand carved, sand stone blocks forming part of the original shop front and a cast iron drainpipe deeply embedded in the red brick wall… nether inside nor outside. Curioser and curioser… like something out of Alice in Wonderland…