LloydsPharmacy closures: here’s what you said

Fred Tickner Photo: Archant (Image: Archant)

LloydsPharmacy's parent company has blamed government policy, funding cuts and business rates for the move to close the branches, but has not yet revealed which ones are under threat.

The chain has nearly 40 pharmacies across Norfolk and Suffolk, including concessions in Sainsbury's supermarkets.

It said it was looking to sell some of the stores and could not confirm closures until negotiations were concluded.

On Friday, outside the LloydsPharmacy near the West Pottergate Medical Practice in Norwich's Earlham Road, people spoke of how important the chemist was to them.

Leah Van Wijk Photo: Archant (Image: Archant)

Fred Tickner, 62, who lives close by, said: 'They are very important. I come here every day. People need them.'

Leah Van Wijk, 42, who lives in the north of the city, said: 'Obviously it is very handy being close to the doctors...From one point of view, it is 'please don't get rid of this,' but even from budgeting at home you know difficult decisions have to be made. I would not want to be the person making this decision.'

Myles Cobbold, 30, who lives near the chemist, said: 'I've just recently moved here and I picked the doctors' surgery because it was near to a chemist.'

Rachel Fox, 31, from the Golden Triangle, said: 'Chemists are definitely important. I get regular prescriptions for my son from here... It's hard because having worked in a pharmacy I understand where they are coming from [with how expensive they can be to run] but at the same time they are valuable, especially to the older people.'

Myles Cobbold Photo: Archant (Image: Archant)

Rachel Fox Photo: Archant (Image: Archant)