THE new pharmacy in the Cledford end of Middlewich is in danger of being closed by government cuts according to its pharmacist. 


The Department of Health has stated that there are 3,000 too many pharmacies in the country with proposals to move many pharmacy services online. 


The pharmacy in Warmingham Lane, which opened in July last year, is one pharmacy which is most vulnerable to being closed according to its pharmacist, Graham Rowley. 


Mr Rowley said: “Their model for pharmacies is more like an amazon idea so your local community pharmacy is in jeopardy. It’s a worrying prospect and it’s come about out of the blue. 


“Independent pharmacies like ours are far more vulnerable. The bigger ones have buying power so where we are buying single items they’re buying hundreds. 


“If you have no community pharmacies left, where you go to get your blood pressure taken and the morning after pill and services such as these, where will people go for these services?”


The pharmacy has been well received by residents since it opened nine months ago with some saying it would be a ‘travesty’ if it were to close. 


Jonathan Parr, who lives on Warmingham Lane, said: “Cledford Pharmacy has been a godsend to the Warmingham Lane side of town. We are heavily populated in this area and with all the new builds and the developments in the pipeline, this pharmacy is vital to us.


“I use this pharmacy on a regular basis and to see it close would be a travesty, and I am sure I echo the sentiments of many more residents at this side of town.”


A campaign to ‘support your local pharmacy’ has now been set up by the National Pharmacy Association and a petition is being kept in the Cledford Pharmacy. 


Mr Rowley is now urging people to sign the petition and help fight to keep the pharmacy before it is too late. 


He added: “At this end of Middlewich, I think we have, in a small space of time, grown to be the centre of the community. 


“I think sometimes people can overlook what’s on their doorstep so I would love people to come in and support the campaign because it will be too late once we’re gone. 


“You have been fighting to get this service here for years and now you have it and it’s under threat, so please fight to keep it.”