175 years ago, John Boot opened a herbalist store on Nottingham’s Goose Gate. To mark this anniversary, Boots has partnered with the University of Nottingham to explore how shopping has evolved since 1849 in this Nottingham exhibition.
Part design show, part social history, Counter Culture explores changing experiences on the high street. From Victorian pharmacies to the superstores of the 1980s and beyond, Boots stores have reflected our shifting social needs, cultural aspirations, and patterns of everyday life.
Using historic objects, images and architecture, Counter Culture looks at the creation of modern shopping, from both sides of the counter.
This free Nottingham exhibition is a trip down memory lane for all Boots shoppers.
All images courtesy of Boots Archive. Lead images: WBA/BT/5/57/1/4 – Career booklet, 1950s; WBA/BT/28/46/30/1 – Boots Lister Gate store, Nottingham, 1950s; WBA/BT/5/34/165/7/24 – Still from a staff training presentation on service, c1970; WBA/BT/21/46/1/666/1 – Boots Goose Gate store, Nottingham, 1896
![Three glass carboys sit in front of a pale green wall.](https://eonumxnti94.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Video-image-1-e1715265904860.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
With thanks to
![Arts and Humanities Research Council](https://eonumxnti94.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/AHRC-logo.png?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
![175 years of Boots, with you for life](https://eonumxnti94.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/BLUE_Stacked_Centered_RGB.png?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
More From this Exhibition
Exhibition
![A woman handing a Boots paper bag to a customer over a pharmacy counter](https://eonumxnti94.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/boots2-1920-x-870.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
![Featured Event Device](https://eonumxnti94.exactdn.com/wp-content/themes/cog-press-theme/static/images/device-featured-event.png?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
Djanogly Gallery
Counter Culture Gallery Tours
Sat 18 May – Thu 18 Jul 2024
A closer look at this exhibition with a walk-through guided tour.
Workshop
![Black and white photo of the inside of a Boots Pharmacy](https://eonumxnti94.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/chain-stores-boots-talk-1900-600.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
![Featured Event Device](https://eonumxnti94.exactdn.com/wp-content/themes/cog-press-theme/static/images/device-featured-event.png?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
Learning Studio
Talking Shop
Fri 24 May – Wed 10 Jul 2024
A series of free reminiscence sessions inspired by our Counter Culture exhibition.
Workshop
![A woman handing a Boots paper bag to a customer over a pharmacy counter](https://eonumxnti94.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/boots2-1920-x-870.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
![Featured Event Device](https://eonumxnti94.exactdn.com/wp-content/themes/cog-press-theme/static/images/device-featured-event.png?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
Learning Studio
The Writing Apothecary
Sat 29 Jun – Sat 20 Jul 2024
A series of free writing for wellbeing workshops inspired by our Counter Culture exhibition.
Talk
![A black and white photo of a group of women in hats underneath a Boots sign that reads Wembley Special](https://eonumxnti94.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/over-the-global-counter-1920-1920.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
![Featured Event Device](https://eonumxnti94.exactdn.com/wp-content/themes/cog-press-theme/static/images/device-featured-event.png?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
Djanogly Theatre
Over the Global Counter
Tue 2 Jul 2024
A lunchtime talk to accompany our Counter Culture exhibition.
Talk
![Black and white photo of the inside of a Boots Pharmacy](https://eonumxnti94.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/chain-stores-boots-talk-1900-600.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
![Featured Event Device](https://eonumxnti94.exactdn.com/wp-content/themes/cog-press-theme/static/images/device-featured-event.png?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
Djanogly Theatre
The Coming of the Chains
Tue 16 Jul 2024
A lunchtime talk to accompany our Counter Culture exhibition.
Workshop
![An embroidery hoop, featuring a ladies face, sits on a table surrounded by fabric and pictures.](https://eonumxnti94.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_5117-scaled.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
![Featured Event Device](https://eonumxnti94.exactdn.com/wp-content/themes/cog-press-theme/static/images/device-featured-event.png?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
Djanogly Gallery
Craft Your Own Counter Culture Tote Bag
Sun 14 Jul 2024
A free crafty workshop with Debbie Bryan to celebrate the Counter Culture exhibition.
Exhibition
![A woman handing a Boots paper bag to a customer over a pharmacy counter](https://eonumxnti94.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/boots2-1920-x-870.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
![Featured Event Device](https://eonumxnti94.exactdn.com/wp-content/themes/cog-press-theme/static/images/device-featured-event.png?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
Djanogly Gallery
Counter Culture Gallery Tours
Sat 18 May – Thu 18 Jul 2024
A closer look at this exhibition with a walk-through guided tour.
Workshop
![Black and white photo of the inside of a Boots Pharmacy](https://eonumxnti94.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/chain-stores-boots-talk-1900-600.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
![Featured Event Device](https://eonumxnti94.exactdn.com/wp-content/themes/cog-press-theme/static/images/device-featured-event.png?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
Learning Studio
Talking Shop
Fri 24 May – Wed 10 Jul 2024
A series of free reminiscence sessions inspired by our Counter Culture exhibition.
Workshop
![A woman handing a Boots paper bag to a customer over a pharmacy counter](https://eonumxnti94.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/boots2-1920-x-870.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
![Featured Event Device](https://eonumxnti94.exactdn.com/wp-content/themes/cog-press-theme/static/images/device-featured-event.png?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
Learning Studio
The Writing Apothecary
Sat 29 Jun – Sat 20 Jul 2024
A series of free writing for wellbeing workshops inspired by our Counter Culture exhibition.
Talk
![A black and white photo of a group of women in hats underneath a Boots sign that reads Wembley Special](https://eonumxnti94.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/over-the-global-counter-1920-1920.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
![Featured Event Device](https://eonumxnti94.exactdn.com/wp-content/themes/cog-press-theme/static/images/device-featured-event.png?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
Djanogly Theatre
Over the Global Counter
Tue 2 Jul 2024
A lunchtime talk to accompany our Counter Culture exhibition.
Talk
![Black and white photo of the inside of a Boots Pharmacy](https://eonumxnti94.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/chain-stores-boots-talk-1900-600.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
![Featured Event Device](https://eonumxnti94.exactdn.com/wp-content/themes/cog-press-theme/static/images/device-featured-event.png?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
Djanogly Theatre
The Coming of the Chains
Tue 16 Jul 2024
A lunchtime talk to accompany our Counter Culture exhibition.
Workshop
![An embroidery hoop, featuring a ladies face, sits on a table surrounded by fabric and pictures.](https://eonumxnti94.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_5117-scaled.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
![Featured Event Device](https://eonumxnti94.exactdn.com/wp-content/themes/cog-press-theme/static/images/device-featured-event.png?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
Djanogly Gallery
Craft Your Own Counter Culture Tote Bag
Sun 14 Jul 2024
A free crafty workshop with Debbie Bryan to celebrate the Counter Culture exhibition.
FAQs
No! All of our exhibitions are free and drop-in, so you are welcome to come and enjoy anytime during our opening times.
The Djanogly Gallery is in one of our three buildings. Close to the tramlines and opposite the play park, the Gallery building has a distinct circular window over a pond. You can check out the map at the top of this page for more information.
You are welcome to bring groups to the gallery without prior arrangements. If you would like to book additional activities, talks or a guide, please visit our Schools & Educators page for more information on school visits. For non-school groups, please contact neil.walker@nottingham.ac.uk.