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About us

We are an independent gift shop in Bridlington, we stock a wide range of gifts , many of which are hand made locally by us, other local makers or a variety of similar suppliers within the uk. Our wholesale gifts complement our hand made range or are things we just like!

Hand Made Gifts we make

Our in-house hand made items include:

  • Open and Closed Terrariums, Desert Gardens and other decorative planted items
  • Planted arrangements in vintage cups, bowls and similar
  • Air Plant coastal arrangements such as Driftwood and Seashells
  • Macrame plant hangers and decorations
  • Crochet
  • Cards
  • Jewellery

Our Local Makers

We provide hand made items from other local makers. If you are a maker and would like to sell your items through us, please get in touch! Our local makers currently include:

  • Felted animals
  • Jewellery
  • Pressed Flower Art
  • Paintings by local artists

Artisan Products Made in The UK

We try and source as much as possible from the UK, some of our uk made products include:

  • Hand Made Soap
  • Hand Made Bath Bombs
  • Aromatherapy and Essential Oils
  • Cards
  • Chocolates

Other Wholesale Products

We sell a range of wholesale products, these are products that we think are cute, that complement our range or things we just really like! These include a range of seasonal items so there's always something new and exciting to see!

About The Old Chemist Shop

The building is an early 19th century structure, originally opened as a watchmaker in 1812.

This was soon acquired by John Rayner in 1815 and was opened as a Chemists. In 1830 John set on his nephew, Mark Ward Cooper as an apprentice, Mark was later to be made a partner in the business.

Mark took on the store following his uncles death and was quite an important figure in the community , being elected to the local government board in 1863 until 1871. Cooper died in 1872.

The Chemist was next run from 1878 by by Robert Gatenby and his wife Catherine. Following Robert's death in 1908, his Son Robert J.r. ran the Chemist Shop alongside Catherine. The chemist would be run by the Gatenby family for almost the next 100 years.

This remained a Chemists until 2002 and since then has been a book store, an antiques store and a gift store.

Credit to local historian David Mooney for both the research and historical documents.

Here is a selection of historical documents relating to the shop, including business listings for Rayner and Cooper from 1855, an ordnance survey map of Old Town from 1855, and obituary for Mark Ward Cooper from 1872, The 1911 census entry from the Gatenbys, Business listings for the Gatenbys from 1913 and a photo of the High Street from 1920.

Bridlington Old Town ordnance survey map from 1855
Slaters trade directory which contains Raynor and Cooper listing from 1855
Raynor and Cooper shown in Slaters trade directory as "Druggists" in 1855
The chemists shop as seen today
Census entry from 1911 showing Catherine Gatenby and Robert J.r as Chemists at 64 High Street.
Kellys Trade Directory from 1913 which published the Gatenby's as running the chemist shop
Entry from Kelly's directory showing the Gatenbys
Bridlington Old Town in 1920

The shop is a Grade II listed building, officially recognised for its architectural and historic significance since 1976.

It has some fascinating period details, including carved heating grills under the counter and cellars lined with stone believed to be from Bridlington Priory.

We have fixtures and fittings in place from the early 1900s as well as some of the original fittings and chemists bottles which are on display.

You are welcome to come in and explore the shop!

Discover Bridlington Old Town

Nestled just a mile inland from the bustling seafront, Bridlington Old Town offers a captivating journey into the town’s historic heart. With its Georgian and Victorian architecture, and a thriving community of independent shops and artisans, the Old Town is a place where heritage and creativity meet.

At the centre lies the High Street and Market Place, lined with beautifully preserved buildings that date back to the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. These streets once formed the commercial hub of Bridlington, serving surrounding villages with goods, crafts, and cottage industries. Today, they host a vibrant mix of shops, galleries, cafés, and characterful pubs - each with its own story to tell.

Key landmarks include the magnificent Bridlington Priory Church, founded in 1113 AD, and the Bayle Museum, housed in a medieval gatehouse that once served as a prison and town hall. Visitors can follow the Bridlington Old Town Trail to uncover blue plaques, hidden gardens, and tales of royal connections and local ingenuity. The area even starred as the set for the 2016 Dad’s Army film, adding a touch of cinematic charm to its already rich tapestry.

Whether you're drawn by history, shopping, or simply a slower pace, Bridlington Old Town invites you to wander, discover, and connect with the stories that shaped this coastal community. It’s a place where every doorway, every detail, and every friendly face adds to the experience.

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