A. E. Whitehead - Chemist

On Monday 15 March 1920, Arnold Whitehead opened his own business and new pharmacy in Cameron's Chambers in Nicholas Street. His brother R. Whitehead joined him in the venture. Arnold was a pharmaceutical chemist dispensing prescriptions. In the early years he also sold photographic supplies, gifts, toiletries, shaving requirements, soap, face powder, manicure sets, perfumes and the like.

Arnold was the eldest son of F. A. Whitehead the well-known Ipswich photographer. Before serving in World War I, he had been manager of London Pharmacy in Brisbane Street. 

In 1924, Whitehead's shop and other shops in the building were sold by Pearson W. Cameron to J. B. Colthup. There was an entrance beside Whiteheads for businesses on the floor above. In the 1920s Allan Harley, a tailor, conducted his business upstairs, and in 1932 William Pratt, the jeweller, was located there too. In 1942 Jeanette MacDonald Beauty Salon was located above Whitehead's Chemist. 

Arnold Whitehead enlisted for World War II in May 1940 but became medically unfit for duty and was invalided home a year later in June 1941. Following his return, the fate of his chemist shop or Arnold's role in it is not clear, although the Whitehead's Chemist brand was still in circulation for a couple of years more.  Another chemist, E. W. Vance, worked there from the end of 1941 to 1942 before opening his own premises very close by.