Last pharmacy is leaving the area for good TODAY amid a wave of closures
A FAMOUS British health and pharmacy chain has closed one of its stores for good, leaving locals without a pharmacy nearby.
Councilors in York have now launched a petition calling for a community pharmacy for Clifton residents.
It comes after Boots announced it would close a further six pharmacies.
The Clifton branch is one of 300 stores that Boots is expected to close.
In the petition, councilors describe the additional stress this closure will bring to the Clifton community as many will now have to “travel further afield for medication and health advice”.
Without this measure, the impact on the residents of Clifton will be significant
York Council
Community pharmacies are responsible for providing health advice that keeps people away from GP practices where possible.
Councilors also explained how the removal of the Boots pharmacy will have damaging effects on already 'under pressure' GPs.
The boots in Clifton close for the last time today [17th February] with the nearest pharmacies for Clifton residents located in Clifton Moor, Gilygate in the town centre.
The extra distance will be difficult for many older people, says Cllr Margaret Wells.
“Much of the value of a community pharmacy lies in the convenience of being close to home, especially for the elderly and those with conditions and diseases that affect their mobility,” she said.
She added: “The loss of all local pharmacies in the borough is concerning for residents and puts Clifton in a bad situation compared to other wards where a number of pharmacies are close together.”
Councilors have been told to contact pharmacies interested in opening a store in Clifton, in a bid to re-establish a local pharmacy for residents.
A similar closure of Boots in Bristol Staple Hill has left customers furious as they see their local pharmacy closed for good.
One person on social media said: “Boots really nailed the boot.”
Another said: “It's such a shame this is happening, there should always be a pharmacy near where you live.”
And a third shopper wrote: “Absolutely terrible news.”
It comes after Next abruptly closed one of its branches, leaving shoppers gutted.
And Game is the latest retailer to announce a mass closure of branches across the UK.
'DEATH' OF HOOFSTRAAT
The hospitality sector has been feeling the pressure since the pandemic, as households cut back on spending due to the rising cost of living.
High energy costs and higher prices are also taking their toll, and many restaurants and cafes in the main shopping streets are struggling to stay afloat.
We've seen a slew of closures in the past year and more are on the way.
Pubs such as Wetherspoons and restaurants such as Frankie & Benny's and Chiquito closed their doors.
Costa Coffee on Bruntsfield Place in Edinburgh ground its last bean this week when the store officially closed on Valentine's Day.
Several major retail brands have also gone bankrupt in recent years, such as Wilko and Paperchase.
The Body Shop recently confirmed it has gone bankrupt, leaving 200 stores at risk of closure.
More shoppers than ever are choosing to order online instead of going to the store.
This leaves some retailers struggling with budgets and having no choice but to close stores to cut costs.
British retailers saw the amount of goods sold fall last month, at the fastest pace in three years, as under-pressure households moved some of their Christmas shopping to earlier in the year.
Sales volumes fell 3.2% in December, Office for National Statistics data showed, compared with a 1.4% increase a month earlier.
Several major chains are pulling down the shutters for the last time this month.