Retirement of High Street pharmacist whose loyal customers are thanking him and his wife for all their dedicated support and advice

Barnet High Street pharmacist Naresh Maini is retiring after over 40 years of what customers say has been an outstanding record of dependable and friendly service and advice.

 

He started work at Wilkinson the chemist – at 190 High Street – in 1982 when his family purchased the business, and he soon established a loyal clientele.

Naresh and his wife Kusam say they are looking forward to retirement, but he is hoping to continue working occasionally for the new owners so hopes to keep in touch with the many customers he knows so well.

“I was only 27 when I started in the shop,” said Naresh.

“High Barnet has changed so much in the last 40 years.

“Back then the town was much more like a village which had everything. Sadly, over the years, we have lost so much, not least landmarks in the High Street like the Salisbury Hotel.”

Like other essential shops, Wilkinson remained open for business during the Covid pandemic and Naresh remembers so well how much this was appreciated by the community.

“We were open all the time, and we did our best as we knew how much people relied on their chemist.

“What has had a real impact is that over the years we got to know our regulars so well, most of them by name.

“Sadly, we have lost some familiar faces, but we have seen families, and their children grow up and of course, some have moved on.

“We have just become grandparents so that will keep us busy, and we want to do a bit of travelling, but I hope to be back in the shop occasionally as I want to keep my mind active.”

Naresh grew up in Kenya with his parents who moved to the UK in the early 1970s. He went to Bradford University and trained as a pharmacist.

His commitment to pharmacy remains strong. On the Wilkinson front door is a poster from the National Pharmacy Association promoting the campaign to save pharmacies.

Hundreds are said to be at risk of closure following the Budget changes in employers’ National Insurance and the squeeze on NHS resources.

“Ten pharmacies are said to be closing every week because the NHS payments on prescriptions are not enough to keep us all in business,” said Naresh pointing to the poster:

“Time to act. Pharmacies are closing. Sound the alarm. Save our pharmacies.”