More than a dozen Boots stores are set to close in the coming weeks(Image: PA)

Fury as over a dozen Boots stores set to disappear in just weeks - full list

More than a dozen Boots stores are set to close in the coming weeks across the UK as the high street giant looks to 'evolve' its business model, though some shoppers aren't happy

by · The Mirror

More than a dozen Boots stores are set to close across the UK in the next few weeks.

The high street giant announced last summer it was to start closing down stores in a matter of days as it looked to slash its number of shops across the UK by 300. The brand's US owners announced in June 2023 there would be closures over the next year. The move will reduce the chain's portfolio from around 2,200 to just 1,900.

The long-standing chain is culling stores in an effort to combat the changing world of the high street. One of the areas hit hardest is Plymouth, where almost all branches are due to shut. A total of 20 stores have already shut in the likes of Leicester, York and Exeter.

A further 16 are due to close in the coming weeks as we head into the New Year. Boots has said any branches closing down have an alternative less than three miles away. In 2020, the firm announced the closure of 48 opticians with the loss of 4,000 jobs. It said the decision to close stores was not taken lightly.

Boots closed more than 200 stores over 18 months from 2019, amounting to around 8% of its total presence. Two thirds were in walking distance to others and many were said to be running at a loss. A spokesperson for Boots previously said: "Evolving the store estate in this way allows Boots to concentrate its team members where they are needed and focus investment more acutely in individual stores with the ambition of consistently delivering an excellent and reliable service in a fresh and up-to-date environment."

Plymouth MP Luke Pollard told The Sun: "Boots are putting profits before people and it stinks. I want to see alternative providers take over these pharmacies if Boots insists on shutting them down." While a proposal to close a store in Bryn, Wigan, has led to particular concern.

Paul Woods, who is disabled and partially sighted, said: "It's devastating. This Boots is at the hub of the local community and always extremely busy. It is also the end user for the vast majority of prescriptions issued by Bryn Cross Surgery, which is directly next door."

The closures announced last summer came despite Boots - which employs over 52,000 people in Britain - posting strong quarterly results with retail sales up 13.4% and a ninth consecutive quarter of market share growth. CFO James Kehoe specified the closure figure on a Q3 earnings analyst call at the end of June, coinciding with the release of the firm's quarterly results report.

He said: "We will continue to optimise our locations and opening hours, and expect to close an additional 300 locations in the UK and 150 locations in the US." The report stated: "Over the next year Boots will continue to consolidate a number of stores in close proximity to each other.

"Evolving the store estate in this way allows Boots to concentrate its team members where they are needed and focus investment more acutely in individual stores with the ambition of consistently delivering an excellent and reliable service in a fresh and up to date environment."

Where are the closures happening?

Here is the full list of stores closing in the New Year:

  • Cliftonville, Kent - January 20
  • Pemberton, Wigan - January 26
  • Hough Lane, Layland, Lancashire - to close in January
  • Front Street, Prudhoe - no date
  • Rhos on Sea - March 2024
  • Colwyn Bay - April 2024
  • Portland Walk, Barrow - no date
  • Gestridge Road, Teignbridge - no date
  • Caerleon Road, Newport - to close in early 2024
  • Chepstow Road, Newport - to close in early 2024
  • Carlyon Road, St Austell, Cornwall - to close in early 2024
  • St Blazey, Cornwall - to close in early 2024
  • Lurgan - no date
  • Chard Road, Plymouth - no date
  • Mannamead Road, Plymouth - no date
  • Claremont Street, Plymouth - no date

The stores that have already closed in 2023 are as follows:

  • Salford Shopping Centre, Greater Manchester - February 2023
  • Church Street, Malvern - March 11
  • The Port Arcades Shopping Centre, Ellesmere - March 11
  • King William Street, London - June 2
  • Heathside Road, Woking - end of July
  • UEA campus - end of July
  • Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff - August 1
  • Holywell, Flintshire (Wales) - August 26
  • Windhill Road, Wakefield - October 6
  • Upper Warrengate, Wakefield - October 7
  • Glastonbury - October 13
  • Uppingham Road, Leicester - October 13
  • Guildford Road, Woking - end of October
  • Kings Square, York - October 28
  • Warminster - October 28
  • Gorleston, Great Yarmouth - November
  • High Row, Darlington - November 3
  • Mudge Way, Plymouth - November 18
  • Mount Pleasant, Exeter - November 18
  • Kirkby Ashfield - November 18