I am sorry to say that Boots on Southmead Road will be closing on 19th January. It will come as no surprise to you that the CEO of Boots is so out of touch he has told our local MP that the closure is on 20th January - a Saturday - which of course is rubbish since Boots has refused to let the branch open on Saturdays since the pandemic!
I understand the branch is having a closing down party on Friday 19th January and that customers are all invited on the last day. I don't know the timings but next time you pop in before then do ask. There will be cake I'm told.
It is disappointing we have been unsuccessful but how wonderful that so many of you signed and the staff at the Southmead Road Boots branch have been overwhelmed by your good wishes and all the lovely things you've said about them and too them. They really do appreciate you all and will miss you as much as we will miss them.
Meanwhile, we have had more coverage about Boots closure in the pharmaceutical press.
Galling to note that the only Boots branch that has received a reprieve is in Jeremy Hunt's constituency. Jeremy Hunt, MP, as you probably know is the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Boots' CEO Sebastian James has not responded directly to our petition. I emailed him 5 weeks ago and still no reply.
Unfortunately our own MP doesn't have the same influence as Jeremy Hunt.
Our MP, Darren Jones, contacted Boots and he received this reply which is probably only what one might have expected:
"Thank you for the email on behalf of your constituents regarding the Boots pharmacy located at 37 Southmead Road, Bristol. I can confirm that we have notified the local store team and NHS of the closure of the pharmacy on 20th January 2023.
The context is our business update in June where Boots announced that we would be accelerating our store optimisation programme in this financial year, with a particular focus on our pharmacy portfolio. This will involve the consolidation of around 300 stores across the UK, especially pharmacies that are in close proximity.
These changes are necessary to enable Boots to better focus store investment and concentrate our workforce, notably pharmacists, more efficiently across the country, which is important as we prepare to offer the NHS Pharmacy First service in the coming months.
Following a review of our portfolio in the local area, we have decided to consolidate store operations with the closure of the pharmacy on Southmead Road. Team members affected by this decision have been briefed and offered alternative roles in other Boots stores.
We recognise that some of your constituents are disappointed, not least those who have signed the petition, but I can assure you the decision has been very carefully considered. After the closure, local residents will be able to access pharmacy services at the nearby Boots store at 55 Henleaze Road which is 0.7 miles away.
We are currently examining what operational changes are needed at this store to ensure the pharmacy is equipped to handle the demand and dispensing workload as patients are transferred from the Southmead Road branch.
We are also working closely with the NHS and local GP surgeries to ensure that patients are informed and supported to have their care and prescriptions transferred so there is continuity in access to medicines and the provision of healthcare advice and services.
Please be assured that Boots remains committed to supporting the local community and continuing to deliver high standards of service to all our customers in Bristol North West."