Lib Dems raise objections about Woking’s Boots closure 

Councillor Will Forster and the Lib Dems are campaigning to keep pharmacies in Woking open. 

This comes after Boots announced it will be closing two pharmacies in Woking, one in Guildford Road and another in Heathside Road.  The Heathside Road store will be taken over by an alternative pharmacy, but the Guildford Road pharmacy will fully close at the end of October. 

This closure follows the withdrawal of Lloyds from their in-store pharmacy at Sainsburys in Knaphill and the consequent loss of their late-night service. 

Will Forster has already written to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to express his concerns about the lack of support for community pharmacies. 

“Many pharmacies across the country are struggling to survive,” said Will Forster.  “They provide a vital service to so many in our communities, the Government must do more to help them stay open.” 

For those with especially busy or difficult lives, pharmacies are often the closest and most accessible place to get health advice.  For those who may struggle to engage with appointment-only services, a chance pop-in can save lives. 

Will Forster said: “Many people in our area rely on Guildford Road’s Boots pharmacy.  If this branch were to close, it could have a devastating impact on local people’s health and add even greater pressure on the remaining pharmacies and GP surgeries.”