What was the Old Chemist like when it really was a working pharmacy? And how does it feel to return to the same building decades later, now freshly renovated and serving the community in a very different way?

Celia Evans lived above the shop with her family from the 1950s and ran the pharmacy herself. We met her back at the Old Chemist at Bitterne Park Triangle to hear her memories - from how the shops around the Triangle have changed over the decades to a Christmas when she served a long queue of customers - and to reflect on how times have changed.

Joining her was Emily Light, The Old Chemist’s community development manager, who walked us through the changes made during the recent renovation and explained how the space will now support a wide range of community activities.

Recording a chat at The Old Chemist with Celia, left, and Emily, right

You can hear the full conversation - including Celia’s reflections and Emily’s vision for the building’s future - on our digest+ Substack channel. Subscribers (or those taking a free trial) can listen to this complete interview and other recent audios via the player on digest+.