Buxton chiropodist retires after three decades of helping people

Chiropodist Farouk Kardahji has been in Buxton since 1983, working at various locations before ending up at Buxton Podiatry, on Hall Bank.

But Friday marked the end of an era as the 65-year-old retired and said his final goodbyes to customers.

He said: “It has been a true privilege to see so many people over the years and hopefully help most of them with their aches and pains.

“The people are the most wonderful aspect of my job. Many have become friends and I have had some wonderful conversations over the years.”

Born in Beirut, Farouk never intended to become a chiropodist and had plans to go to university to study biochemistry. A friend asked him his thoughts on chiropody, something he had never heard of before.

He said: “I spent a day in hospital learning more about it, and fell in love with it.”

In 1978 he qualified as a state-registered chiropodist and began working for the NHS at the Manchester Foot Hospital, where he remained for five years. In 1983 he decided to start his own practice and purchased the house and practice that was The Cairn on Palace Road, Buxton.

Farouk, of Manchester Road, said: “When I came to Buxton it was a glorious sunny day in May and the blossoms were all out on the trees and I could really see myself living and growing old here.”

Along with his wife Sue, their three children Nick, Chris and Nadia, Buxton became home for the family.

Farouk joined Buxton Rotary Club, something he is still involved in today.

He added: “Retiring is the end of a chapter but also the start of a new one for me. The first thing I am going to do is sleep for a week.

“This practice has been my baby for such a long time, and as with anything you have nurtured and loved you only want to give it to someone you feel can continue that love, so I’m so pleased it will be going to Sally Hadfield.”