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Boots store closures: Up to 200 branches could be shut across UK, reports say

More depressing news!  Although they say Walgreens was considering store closures, I think I translate it to will close stores. The US owner of Boots is reportedly considering plans to close up to 200 of its UK stores. The Nottingham-based healthcare retailer is owned by American firm Walgreens. Sky News reported on Tuesday that Walgreens was considering the closures. Boots, which has 2,485 stores across the UK employing about 56,000 staff, has been battling against falling sales. Walgreens warned last month that it may have to shut UK stores after suffering its “most difficult quarter” in the firm’s history. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/boots-store-closures-uk-job-losses-high-street-walgreens-a8933161.html

Ivonne Holliday ● 2724d13 Comments

I know there are 2 stores on PHS plus the opticians. I don't think we will lose them all but can see a consolidation into one store (probably the one nearer the Waitrose)... Still not the best news for the high street in general.

Ben Rainbow ● 2724d

Agreed.  What I was not aware was that Boots was owned by an American firm. :-( :-( :-(

Ivonne Holliday ● 2724d

Am I imagining it or did PHS once have 3 Boots branches?  This would be back at the beginning of the 1980s.  I think I remember a branch opposite side to the train station and it may have had an upstairs.  Anyway I hope someone can remember, thanks.

Martine Guy ● 2724d

|It was on the corner of Norrey Road, now the Amusement Arcade.

Barbara Stevens ● 2724d

Thank you.Were there 3 Boots or did that one close and reopen next to Smiths?

Martine Guy ● 2724d

The large Boots and the old Robert Dyas used to be Woolworths. Woolworths later moved opposite on T K Maxx site. Only think Norrey Rd was the only Boots and used to be really made special upstairs at Christmas. Used to be a lot of clothes shops and shoe shops in the High street, also I think Richards on Maplin site.

Barbara Stevens ● 2724d

It only had 2 at a time.The one on the corner of Norroy did have an upstairs with a small borrowing library. The big one at the bottom of the High Street used to be Woolworths and the one in the middle was Timothy Whites which Boots took over.

Lyn Clark ● 2723d

I can't see two stores is sustainable,  was discussing that with someone a couple of days ago. Perhaps Boots needs to change its business model and focus on opticians, dispensing, medical/first aid products, etc? Most of the time the stores seem nearly empty. 

Michael Ixer ● 2723d

Lynn do you know what used to be on W.H. Smith site. Also a food shop on T. K. Maxx site. a large food shop something like Cato, then Iceland, then Woolworths was for a short time. Also we had Lilly and Skinner, Freeman Hardy Willis, Ravel, K Shoes, there was a small Tesco next to the Spotted Horse. Corner of Sainsbury's road was a Liptons.I think.

Barbara Stevens ● 2723d

Michael a lot use the two Boots for pharmacy, a neighbour uses the small Boots I have to get mine from the larger Boots, I think so many people needing the pharmacy these days might be a bit much for one shop. The other Chemist going towards East Putney, English a bit of a problem when my partner rings up. Now there are more flats, more people, when I use the large Boots they are well organised when I get my medication.

Barbara Stevens ● 2723d

History of shops in Putney, London. Francis Frith, and it shows the Boots Norrey road.

Barbara Stevens ● 2723d

Barbara, the WH Smith site was the original Sainsburys.  It was considered a very modern store - it had a huge counter that ran along the entire edge of the store and was 'zoned' into various departments.  You were served by staff behind the counter at each zone.Then it moved round the corner and became a proper self-service supermarket.As I recall, when Boots was at the top of the High Street, it was the only one.

Rose Compton ● 2723d

Thanks Rose I remember the Sainsbury's now I started working in Putney in 1968. in Deodar Rd, Spalding Golf Equipment. I think there was a large Cuffs on the site near the old Robert Dyas around those shops.

Barbara Stevens ● 2723d