Glastonbury will soon see a new pharmacy on its High Street after NHS Resolution rejected an appeal against its establishment. This decision is a significant victory for the community, allowing work to continue on the new pharmacy at the former Four Seasons shop in the High Street. The pharmacy, expected to be run by Magna Pharmacy, is anticipated to open by late summer. Magna Pharmacy operates branches in Henbury and Weston-super-Mare.

Initially, the South West Pharmaceutical Services Regulatory Committee (SW PSRC) approved the new pharmacy, recognising its significant benefit to the local population. Despite the appeal, NHS Resolution's latest ruling confirms the new pharmacy can proceed.

Glastonbury has faced substantial disruption to its pharmaceutical services since 2023, losing two of its three pharmacies, including Boots on Glastonbury High Street and a Tesco pharmacy. These closures led to widespread protests and an online petition signed by hundreds of residents.

The former Four Seasons shop is set to become a pharmacy (LL)

NHS Somerset's report from 28 March 2024 highlighted the new pharmacy's approval as a crucial milestone in securing additional pharmaceutical services for Glastonbury. The town's remaining pharmacy, Well Pharmacy, has struggled with increased demand since the closures. Well Pharmacy's head office had objected to the new pharmacy, citing the Somerset Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) 2022-2025, which concluded there was no current gap in necessary services in the West Mendip PCN area.

Well Pharmacy's objection noted that:

• The applicant failed to describe access issues currently experienced by local patients or provide evidence that opening hours and services do not meet patient needs.
• No evidence was provided regarding groups with protected characteristics having issues accessing pharmaceutical services in the locality.
• The application does not propose offering any innovative services beyond what local contractors already provide.

But this morning, a spokesperson for NHS Resolution confirmed the appeal had been rejected and stated that the full report would be published in due course.

• Among those who campaigned to bring a new pharmacy to Glastonbury were Emma King, a key figure in this effort, who organised a petition to the Integrated Care Board (ICB) and attended several meetings to highlight the dire need for improved pharmaceutical services in Glastonbury. Her relentless advocacy played a crucial role in the approval process, Paul Manning and the blog Normal For Glastonbury who made sure the community were aware of campaigns and helped to galvanise the community to support the application. Jacq Hotchkiss Cross and Dr Nick Matthews provided evidence during the appeal, emphasising the severe impact of the current situation on residents. Caroline Ritherden's efforts in distributing "Glastonbury Needs a Pharmacy" signs along the High Street further demonstrated robust community support. Local businesses and residents who displayed the signs and signed the petition were instrumental in achieving this outcome.