Parliamentary Candidate Zöe Franklin's letter to Boots CEO regarding Kingfisher Drive Pharmacy closure

Zöe Franklin, Prospective Lib Dem MP for Guildford and our villages, has written to the CEO of Boots UK about the proposed closure of the Boots Pharmacy on Kingfisher Drive in Merrow. In the letter she highlights the concern of local residents over the closure, the likely impact of the closure on the communities it serves and asks Sebastian James to reconsider and also meet with her to discuss the proposal in more detail. 

You can read the full text of the letter below.

Mr Sebastian James
President and Managing Director of Boots UK & ROI
Boots UK Ltd
Nottingham
NG2 3AA

22nd November 2023

Dear Mr James,

I am writing to express my deep concern about the proposed closure of the Boots community pharmacy at Kingfisher Drive, Merrow Park, Guildford, GU4 7EW.

I recognise that there are significant pressures and challenges on the pharmacy sector as the result of government funding cuts, however the news of your proposed closure of this pharmacy comes shortly after the closure of the Lloyds pharmacy located within Sainsbury’s, Clay Lane. Should the Kingfisher Drive closure go ahead, the people of Burpham and Merrow will be left with just one local pharmacy to serve approximately 14,000 residents. This remaining pharmacy, Boots community pharmacy on Epsom Road, is already struggling to cope with local demand.

Since the closure news became public we have collected 500+ signatures in just two weeks to a petition asking you to reconsider the closure for the sake of the community. Residents who have signed the petition have shared with me the difficulties they will have accessing alternative pharmacy provision and how the Kingfisher Drive pharmacy has been a lifeline in times of illness. 

Based on our knowledge of the community locally, there is a clear need for a pharmacy within walking distance for local people. If there is just one pharmacy serving the communities of Burpham and Merrow (plus other areas to the east of Guildford), it is unlikely that your branch at Epsom Road, and its excellent staff, will be able to provide the required level of care and support. 

I thank you for your time reading this letter and request a meeting between us to discuss the proposed closure and its impact on residents. Could you also advise whether you are selling the pharmacy or transferring the licence for the site to Epsom Road?

I hope that you will reconsider the closure and look forward to hearing from you shortly on this matter.

Yours sincerely,

Zöe

Zöe Franklin
Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Guildford