High Street Chain Continues with Closure Plans
BOOTS has confirmed the closure of an additional four local pharmacies as part of its ongoing plan to shut down 300 shops in the next year. The latest closures include the pharmacy in Bede Precinct, Jarrow, which will cease operations on March 16, 2024. The closures are part of a larger strategy to reduce the total number of BOOTS stores from 2,200 to 1,900.
Impact on Local Communities
The closure of these pharmacies has raised concerns among local residents and politicians. Jarrow MP, Kate Osborne, expressed disappointment and highlighted the vital services provided by the pharmacy, including prescription collection and access to over-the-counter medications. The closures are seen as a significant loss to town centers and communities.
Additional Closures in Bristol and South Wales
In addition to the Jarrow pharmacy, BOOTS will be closing two stores in Bristol, located in Southmead and Hartcliffe. The closure dates for these pharmacies have not yet been confirmed. Furthermore, a separate branch on Chepstow Road in Maindee, South Wales, will close its doors for the final time on January 27, 2024.
Challenges Faced by Pharmacies
Pharmacies across the UK have been struggling financially due to low reimbursements from the NHS and rising pharmaceutical costs. The closure of community pharmacies has become a widespread issue, leaving many neighborhoods without essential services. The pharmacy industry has lost £1.6 billion in the past decade, and the NHS's pharmacy contract has not kept up with inflation, resulting in funding cuts and closures.
BOOTS' Closure Plans
BOOTS announced its plans to close 300 shops in June, without initially specifying which stores would be affected. However, the chain has gradually revealed the list of closures, primarily targeting locations with multiple BOOTS stores in close proximity. The closures highlight the challenges faced by retailers in today's competitive digital world.
List of Recently Closed BOOTS Stores
Since the announcement of the closure plans, several BOOTS stores have already shut down. Some of the recently closed stores include branches in Wakefield, Leicester, York, Plymouth, and London. The closure dates range from October 2021 to August 2022. The full list can be found below.
- Windhill Road, Wakefield – October 6
- Upper Warrengate, Wakefield – October 7
- Glastonbury – October 13
- Uppingham Road, Leicester – October 13
- Guildford Road, Woking – end of October
- Kings Square, York – October 28
- Warminster – October 28
- Gorleston, Great Yarmouth – November
- High Row, Darlington – November 3
- Mudge Way, Plymouth – November 18
- Mount Pleasant, Exeter – November 18
- Salford Shopping Centre, Greater Manchester – February 2023
- Church Street, Malvern – March 11
- The Port Arcades Shopping Centre, Ellesmere – March 11
- King William Street, London – June 2
- Heathside Road, Woking – end of July
- UEA campus – end of July
- Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff – August 1
- Holywell, Flintshire (Wales) – August 26
The closures of these BOOTS stores reflect the challenges faced by the pharmacy industry and the impact of changing healthcare demands. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, retailers must adapt to survive and meet the needs of their customers.
