‘Very bad news’ as Boots to permanently shut more locations ‘imminently’ in latest string of closures
SHOPPERS have been struck with “very bad news” as Boots is to permanently shut more locations “imminently” in latest string of closures.
Customers have been left disappointed after the retail giant announced the closure of its branches in Wigan and Norwich.
The health and beauty retailer previously announced it is pulling the shutters down on 300 shops over the next year.
The closures are part of wider plans that will see the retailer’s total shops reduced from 2,200 to 1,900. Below we explain how many Boots stores will close and where.
The high street chain is now set to close its store in Ormskirk Road, Pemberton, Wigan on January 26.
Locals said the departure will hit hard their bustling town centre and fear customers will no longer have access to a pharmacy nearby.
Coun Prescott said: “Whatever the reason, it’s very bad news for Pemberton.
“We’ve got a good little town centre going here and Boots will be sorely missed.”
Customers walking through the store are faced with a notice informing them that they will now have to walk six miles away to the nearest pharmacy.
Mr Prescott added: “The next nearest pharmacy will then be the one attached to the doctors’ at Sherwood Drive and that means further travel for people from Kitt Green and Orrell.
“I can see some older people, who may struggle transport-wise, or drug addicts who need their medication – having particular difficulties.”
Devastated residents now fear the sudden move will affect their already disappearing high street.
Shopper Mary Weston said: “This is terrible news. I use Boots in Pemberton all the time. It’s a good little shop and it will be heartbreaking to see it go.
“Everything seems to be disappearing from the high street: banks, cash machines and now Boots.”
But the waive of closures doesn’t stop here.
Staff working at the pharmaceutical giant’s store in Anglia Square, Norwich told customers it is shutting for good.
The closure means locals will have to walk half a mile to four available pharmacies – including the branch in London Street.
Where are the closures happening?
Here is the full list of stores closing by the end of the year:
- 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
- Front Street, Prudhoe – no date
The stores that have already closed in 2023 are as follows:
- 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