By Nigel Slater, Local Democracy Reporter
A pharmacy in Derby is to reopen a year after its closure sparked more than 600 worried residents to sign a petition demanding it stayed open.
An old LloydsPharmacy store on Main Drive in Chaddesden is to be the new home for Vision Pharmacy which currently has a branch at nearby Nottingham Road.
Vision Pharmacy, which has been based in Chaddesden for nine years, is to move to Main Drive from the beginning of December.
It means that Chaddesden will once again have a pharmacy right next to The Park Medical Practice – one of the main GP surgeries in the area – making it ideal for patients as they will simply have to just visit next door to collect prescriptions and medicines.
Huge banner signs can be seen on both the existing Vision Pharmacy store and its new Main Drive premises saying the move will take place from December 1.
The Main Drive premises were formerly occupied by Lloyds Pharmacy – but controversially the chain decided to close the branch at the end of last year.
In a statement LloydsPharmacy said keeping the store open was no longer “financially viable”.
In response local Chaddesden councillor Jonathan Smale set up an online petition urging LloydsPharmacy to reverse its decision.
The petition was signed by more than 600 people, such was the dismay surrounding the news.
But the pharmacy still closed – and has stood empty since October 29 last year.
However, in just a few weeks time the pharmacy will be back open after Vision Pharmacy – which has other stores in Leicester – stepped in to take over.
Owner Irfan Motala said: “We will retain our services and offer the same level of service as Lloyds did.
“I think it will work out better for all parties, not just me but the patients as well. When they come to see the doctor they will have a pharmacy next door, so they won’t have to move around and they can get their medication there and then.”
Councillor Jonathan Smale said: “We are incredibly lucky to have a pharmacy who stepped up to the plate to fill the void and retain staff. I am sure residents will be looking forward to the Main Drive pharmacy reopening.”
The Nottingham Road branch of Vision Pharmacy will close from December 1.
Sukhi Basra