Boots to shut more sites in weeks following string of closures – is your local going?
BOOTS is set to shut more sites in weeks following a string of closures.
The health and beauty retailer is pulling the shutters down on another four shops in October and November.
It has already closed multiple stores in the past year in various locations.
The chain is also already shutting six branches over the next few months as part of wider plans to close a total of 300.
Boots had not confirmed which stores are set to shut when it first unveiled plans back in June.
Now The Sun can reveal four more pharmacies are due to close by the end of November.
The first is its pharmacy in Uppingham Road, Leicester which is shutting its doors for the final time on October 13.
This will be followed by the Boots in High Row, Darlington which is shutting up shop on November 3.
Later in the month the Mount Pleasant, Exeter, will be pulling down its shutters on November 18.
While another site in Mudge Way, Plymouth will also close on the same day.
Here is the full list of Boots stores to close 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
- Gorleston, Great Yarmouth – November
- High Row, Darlington – November 3
- Mudge Way, Plymouth – November 18
- Mount Pleasant, Exeter – November 18
- Front Street, Prudhoe – no date
A spokesperson for Boots previously told The Sun: “We can confirm that the stores listed are part of the Boots store consolidation programme previously announced.
“All team members from these stores will be offered alternative roles.”
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
Boots said in all cases there is an alternative store less than three miles away.
You can find your nearest Boots store using the locator tool on the website.
If Boots if your GPs nearest pharmacy, you doctors should be able to inform you of your next closest site to get your prescriptions.
Affected team members have been offered opportunities in other stores in the local area.
Boots last closed more than 200 stores over 18 months in 2019.
Boots isn’t the only pharmacy chain to shut locations, earlier this year Lloyds closed all of its sites within Sainsbury’s stores.
It has struggled with losses for several years and shut 76 stores in 2022.
Retailers have been feeling the pinch since the pandemic while shoppers are cutting back on spending due to soaring inflation.
High energy costs and a shift to shopping online after the pandemic are also taking a toll and many high street shops have struggled to keep going.
Brick and mortar stores have also seen a lack of footfall due to consumer habits switching to online shopping.
Most recently, bargain discounter Wilko fell into administration, and has announced it will be closing all 400 stores by October.
Plus, a major supermarket with 2,800 sites is set to close two stores for good.
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