Three years on from Boots closing its branch on St George’s Terrace in 2023, leaving Jesmond Pharmacy as the area’s only pharmacy, the independent outlet has undergone a major refurbishment.

The refurbishment, which began in August, has improved the pharmacy’s appearance and accessibility.

Superintendent pharmacist Chris Holmes, 48, told JesmondLocal: “Before the main door didn’t open automatically, but now it does, to make it easier for wheelchair users to enter.”

Holmes said former Boots customers had switched to Jesmond Pharmacy following the closure of the high street chain in October 2023.

“At the start when Boots closed, we were trying to sort of figure out how to manage the increase in demand but now we are levelled out and are okay,” he said.

Newcastle’s pharmaceutical needs assessment 2025-2028 (PNA), a council evaluation of local pharmacy provision across the city, stated that the closures of Boots branches in Jesmond and Byker were less likely to affect local residents because of the proximity of other pharmacies. It contrasted this with closures in Elswick, Kenton and Heaton.

Holmes said the assessment reflected his experience. He added that residents could also use pharmacies in nearby Gosforth and Shieldfield as other alternatives.

Local residents who spoke to JesmondLocal described their experiences at the pharmacy, with one praising its service while a former Boots customer said she had not yet assessed whether its product selection met her needs.

Beth Withlow, 22, a retail associate who lives in West Jesmond, said: “The new refurb I think has made things better. I’ve not had any real issues since it opened.

“I have eczema, so when I go and get my eczema cream, they always have my cream in there when I’ve needed any emergency medication or anything like that. They’ve always been very helpful.” 

Sally Angus, 59, who works at Dolly Dots in West Jesmond and lives in Gosforth, said she had used both Boots and Jesmond Pharmacy before the closure.

“I used both. It was a shame Boots closed because I do like Boots,” she said.

Angus said she had preferred Boots for its wider selection of products and its loyalty points. But she would also go to Jesmond Pharmacy because it is close to where she works.

“It’s very nice, very smart now [after the refurbishment]. I don’t know whether they’ve got the same amount of stuff in I haven’t really looked properly.”

“When I’m working, I’ll go along there, mainly just for picking up cold and flu tablets or whatever.”

She added she had visited the pharmacy to ask for advice about a health concern affecting her daughter who was a student in Edinburgh.

“They were very knowledgeable about it. They said that students get it a lot, and to not worry. They’re very good with the students.”

Aside from prescription services, the pharmacy offers emergency contraception, the contraceptive pill, stop-smoking support and weight management. It also provides blood pressure checks, and vaccinations, including flu and MenB vaccines.

Other services include the NHS Pharmacy First service, which allows pharmacists to assess and treat certain common conditions, and the New Medicine Service, which offers support to patients starting new medicines.

Holmes added there will be improvements in the services the pharmacy offers. “From next season we will be able to administer COVID vaccines, which we haven’t done before.” He also hopes to introduce travel vaccinations in the future.