WELL-KNOWN pharmacist, thespian and Chamber of Commerce member Mike Briggs has decided to retire. By the end of this month, plans for the takeover of Briggs The Chemist in Fore Street by 'a small group' should be finalised and the indefatigable Mr Briggs will be able to concentrate on all the aspects of his life which are important to him.
Although, he said, the staff threatened mass resignation rather than face the idea of change, he is more sanguine about altering his life-style.
At 59 and looking a lot younger than his age, he feels that now is the time to do some of the things he always planned, like trekking around the world.
He also wants to spend more time with his daughters, five-year old Eleanor and Jessica, who is eight. 'They are a great joy to me,' he said.
'I already spend a lot of time with them and in their lives, and I want to continue to do so.'
Mike, originally from Salford, trained at the Bristol Pharmacy School and has been in the pharmaceutical business since 1963, working in Birmingham, Eversham and Stroud before setting up in Torpoint.
He stresses that he will remain in the town, where he is a key member of the Torpoint Players.
At present, he is rehearsing for a major role, as Dr Sloper in 'The Heiress', to be performed later this year by the Lyric Players, who are based in Plymouth.
As for the change of ownership, 'The prime object of the people buying it is that it will be business as usual,' he insists.
'My replacement has been chosen already. Now I plan to do all the things I've wanted to over the years.
'The world is out there.'