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PLANS to relocate a pharmacy dispensary from a town centre to a retail park has angered community leaders.
National chain Boots UK has confirmed that an application has been submitted to move the dispensary from the Alliance Pharmacy (formally known as Hoosons) in Mostyn Street to their store on Parc Llandudno.
Cllr Brian Betorla said the move will “hurt” customers and Mostyn Street businesses. He said: “It is very sad to see that this is the case. It is a shame that these small businesses, that people have used for many years and that they trust to give friendly advice are going. Hoosons has been there for so many years. It is a sign of the times that large stores are taking over.
“The other danger is that the elderly or people who can’t get to the retail park, who don’t have a car, will struggle to get their medication. It is not good news.” he added.
Boots UK have started the process for the recruitment of a pharmacy manager at the Parc Llandudno retail park. The store does not have a contract to dispense NHS medication at present.
John-Lawson- Reay, Llandudno historian said the Mostyn Street building has been operating as a pharmacy for around 100 years. He said: “It is diabolical. It is taking away customer choice. It is a serious problem. They have the
Boots in the Victoria Centre, will this be taken away? Craig y Don has been taken over, they seem to have a monopoly on medicine. It is terrible. Big companies will be death to Llandudno shopping.”
Llandudno town councillor Doreen Websell said: “It will be a sad thing that we're trying to bring more into the town and now we've lost the pharmacy. It's cut something off that's been there for years and that's wrong. Something that was there since I was a kid has gone.”
A spokeswoman for Boots UK said an application has been put submitted relocate the dispensary, but said it has yet to be approved. She added that the company have no further details at this stage.
Cllr Betorla said Mostyn Street still has a reputation for “elegant shopping” and will still attract developers. He said: “Llandudno sells itself. We will overcome these difficulties. We are different from most towns, we have a moving population, people come to stay on holiday and businesses get the benefits of this.”
What do you think? Have your say at www.northwalespioneer.co.uk.
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