TWO more Boots stores are set to pull the shutters down for the final time today.
The closures are part of the pharmacy chain’s plans to shut 300 locations over the next year.
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Today its branches in Glastonbury and Uppingham Road in Leicester are to close in yet another blow to the high street.
According to local news reports earlier this month, residents and business owners in Glastonbury staged protests against closure.
The loss of the branch will leave the town with only one chemist and has sparked outrage among the community.
One local commented on Facebook that this was “ridiculous now” and expressed fears about the demand being placed on the remaining chemist.
While another added: “Unless another pharmacist steps in this could easily develop into a quite serious situation for the vulnerable.”
And another said: “This is crazy news, gutted is an understatement.”
Despite local outrage, the closures will go ahead in both towns today as part of the retailer’s plans to consolidate its UK portfolio.
Earlier this month Wakefield lost two of its branches and prior to that eight shops closed for good including locations in Malvern, Manchester and London.
However, one village in Surrey did manage to save their local Boots from being shuttered after locals, councilors and an MP got involved.
Speaking about the U-turn Boots said: “Feedback from our local communities and patients is very important, and we will always listen.
The full list of further planned closures taking place in October and November is:
- Kings Square, York – October 28
- Warminster – October 28
- Guildford Road, Woking – end of October
- Gorleston, Great Yarmouth – November
- High Row, Darlington – November 3
- Mudge Way, Plymouth – November 18
- Mount Pleasant, Exeter – November 18
- Front Street, Prudhoe – no date
Residents in the affected areas are not happy about the news and have taken to social media to voice their disappointment.
One said: “Not another one of our wonderful stores. What is happening? So sad.”
And another commented: “No not another one. There (will) be nothing left.”
Meanwhile, someone else said they would be “lost without” their local Boots.
The retailer previously said that it is closing stores where there is an alternative shop for customers less than three miles away.
In its quarterly results Boots said the consolidation of its estate would “concentrate its team members” where they are needed and enable more “focused investment.
It is not just Boots that is shutting up shop and disappearing from the high street.
Many retailers are struggling to keep their heads above water as consumers think twice before spending their hard-earned cash.
Just last week Wilko closed the last of its stores after falling into administration in August.
Some Wilko stores have been snapped up by rival discounter B&M as part of a £13million deal.
Poundland also bought out 71 Wilko stores and has already started to open up some locations.
The Range bought up the Wilko brand name and website in a £5million deal and customers are now able to shop online.
Several other chains including M&Co and Paperchase are also set to close this year.
Retail giant Marks and Spencer also recently confirmed that its Swindon store will shut for good at the end of October, leaving shoppers furious.
Meanwhile, it is not only retailers that are being affected, major banks are also shutting up shop on the high street.
We have a full list of all the major banks closing down branches in October.
