A NEW pharmacy was promised for Wincanton, but movement on the project seems to have stalled.
The Wincanton Patient Participation Group (PPG) was informed that permission was granted for a new pharmacy to open on Wincanton High Street back in August 2023.
But fast forward to January 2025 and the pharmacy is nowhere to be seen.
According to the PPG, the applicant (which has not yet been revealed) has until August this year to find suitable premises and then open to customers.
READ MORE: Boots pharmacy in Wincanton to close in March, says town council
“We’d love to know what progress has been made” said Nigel Engert, chair of Wincanton PPG.
“We know how important our High Street is to local people who shop there and used to rely on the old Boots.
“Having a new pharmacy will be a godsend for them as well as for the attractiveness of the centre of town.”
Councillor Tom Power (Conservative/Wincanton & Bruton) said he will continue to work with the applicant to make sure a pharmacy is delivered for Wincanton.
Closure of Boots High Street branch
The PPG, which represents the 9,000 patients of Wincanton Health Centre, said they were concerned how elderly customers and those without a car would access regular prescriptions after the Boots on the High Street closed in February 2024.
The closure means customers have to travel to the remaining Boots pharmacy next door to the Health Centre.
The High Street branch also stocked a wide range of non-prescription products and cosmetics, few of which are available at the other branch, which now has to cope with a much increased demand for prescriptions.
When we reported on the planned closure of the Boots on the High Street, many residents got in touch to express their concern.
One resident said: “If you don’t have a car, getting to doctors if you are disabled and live on the other side of town is hard now.
“We [now] have to sort out having our meds delivered. I, for one, enjoy my trips to Wincanton High Street on my scooter.
“Soon there will be no shops left. Sad days for Wincanton.”
For more information about how to join the PPG, contact Wincanton Health Centre.
Also, the health centre pharmacy does not open on Saturday