Boots closes another store as pharmacy and beauty chain plans to shut 300 sites
Boots is closing hundreds of stores as part of its 'transformation' plan
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Boots has closed another pharmacy as the high street chain pushes to close hundreds of stores across the UK.
The Boots in Clifton, York closed its doors for the final time this weekend, according to reports.
A sign in the store’s window warned customers the shop was closing and explained their nearest store would be around a mile away in Coney Street, York Press said.
Local councillors launched a petition calling for a community pharmacy for the area after the closure in Clifton Green was announced.
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Boots put a notice about the store closure up in the window before it shut for the final time
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The City of York Council Labour Group warned it would mean there are no pharmacies left in the ward after a Lloyds pharmacy shut several years ago.
Clifton councillor Danny Myers said: “We’re calling through this petition for the council to make the case for a community pharmacy to the local NHS Board responsible for funding health services.
“Without one, the impact on Clifton residents will be significant. As well as dispensing prescriptions, local pharmacies are responsible for providing health advice and diverting people away from GP practices where possible.
“This latest closure is likely to add further pressure to already under-pressure GPs unless alternative provision can be confirmed”.
Boots has also said it will close the city’s Heworth East Parade store on March 9.
Shoppers’ nearest store will be the Boots in Heworth village, the sign said.
Boots announced plans to cut its estate from 2,200 stores to around 1,900 last year.
It did not announce affected locations, but the company said it was shutting down stores which are in close proximity to other branches.
No redundancies were expected under the pharmacy chain’s “transformation” plan, with staff offered roles at nearby stores.
According to the Retail Gazette, a Boots spokesperson said: “Evolving the store estate in this way allows Boots to concentrate its team members where they are needed and focus investment more acutely in individual stores with the ambition of consistently delivering an excellent and reliable service in a fresh and up to date environment.”
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
The following Boots stores have or will close in 2024, according to The Mirror:
- Cliftonville, Kent - January 20
- Pemberton, Wigan - January 26
- Hough Lane, Layland, Lancashire - January 2024
- Landford Road, Liverpool - February 2024
- Clifton, York - February 2024
- Rhos on Sea, Wales - March 2024
- Anglia Square, Norfolk - March 2024
- North Kenton, Newcastle Upon Tyne - March 2024
- Pool, Redruth - March 2024
- Colwyn Bay, Wales - April 2024
- Caerleon Road, Newport - early 2024
- Chepstow Road, Newport - early 2024
- Carlyon Road, St Austell, Cornwall - early 2024
- St Blazey, Cornwall - early 2024
- Lurgan, Northern Ireland - no date
- Chard Road, Plymouth - no date
- Mannamead Road, Plymouth - no date
- Claremont Street, Plymouth - no date
- Portland Walk, Barrow - no date
- Gestridge Road, Teignbridge - no date
- Front Street, Prudhoe - no date
Boots shut its Staple Hill store in Bristol on January 27 and the Littlehampton site in West Sussex closed the following day.
GB News has contacted Boots asking for comment.