'Vital' pharmacies stay in community says new owner

Gurinder Singh (l) has reopened the pharmacy with his partner (r)

The new owner of a pharmacy in a Wiltshire town says it is "vital" pharmacies are part of the community after widespread national closures.

Gurinder Singh took over the Boots pharmacy in Malmesbury last month and opened to customers on 12 August.

The former Boots, on Priority Way, was one of 300 UK branches that closed in the last year.

Mr Singh said: "It's important we put the word 'community' back into community pharmacy, and be really part of what the locals need."

Mr Singh has been a pharmacist for 12 years, starting off working for Boots.

He told the BBC pharmacies are closing because the Government isn't paying as much for NHS services.

"It's a vital part of our community, pharmacies. We can't have them disappearing off the high street like they have in recent years," he said.

"Over time we are planning to add in a lot more services [including] the NHS and private services. Patients want those options."

The new pharmacy replaces the former Boots branch

The pharmacy is open every day, some evenings until 21.00 - something Mr Singh says gives residents an option to "use the branch at their convenience".

"We are part of primary care, and we need to be working alongside GP practices where there is also a shortage.

"We need to compliment what they're doing rather than running away.

"It's a health hub model we're trying to create."