Tesco to cut key in-store service across UK supermarkets in blow for shoppers
Tesco has confirmed that it will be closing down 10 in-store pharmacies this year in a blow to shoppers.
The supermarket chain confirmed the move to the C+D publication this week. However, the locations and the exact dates of the closures have yet to be confirmed. Overall, Tesco currently has around 360 pharmacies in supermarket stores across the country. Signs in the affected branches will be put up over the coming weeks. This will include information signposting shoppers to their nearest alternative pharmacy.
A Tesco spokesperson told the Mirror that the move came after a “comprehensive review” last month. They said: “Following a comprehensive review, last month we took the difficult decision to close a small number of our pharmacies later this year, in line with customer demand. We remain committed to providing our customers with the very best pharmacy services and continue to have a network of over 350 pharmacies across the country open and ready to help.”
All branches affected will continue to run and operate as normal until the closure. Tesco said that shoppers will be able to find another Tesco pharmacy within a five-mile radius of the affected sites.The supermarket chain also noted that it was its “priority” to support all impacted staff. However, it has not been confirmed how many workers will be affected by the closures or whether more closures are planned for the future.
Tesco previously announced in April 2023 that it was closing eight of its “megastore” pharmacies. The eight locations were all 100-hour pharmacies and the “difficult decision” to close them was made because the branches were not seeing “sufficient customer demand to sustain their long opening hours”, Tesco said at the time. The closures were part of restructuring plans originally announced by the supermarket chain at the beginning of the year.
This week, the supermarket chain also announced the launch of free NHS blood pressure checks at its in-store pharmacy branches. The free service aims to “help detect cases of undiagnosed high blood pressure and prevent cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes”. The move comes after a new survey claimed many people say they don’t have the time or understanding of blood pressure checks to look after their heart health.
Jonathan Bridgett, Tesco Pharmacy services manager, said: “We know how important it is for people to get their blood pressure checked, and seeing some of the survey results shows that many people don’t realise just how convenient and quick a free check in a Tesco Pharmacy can be, especially without the need for an appointment.
“People can make a number of small changes to their lifestyle that support heart health, and reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes, and I’m happy to be working with the British Heart Foundation again to highlight this important issue and hopefully prevent heart attacks and strokes.”
Get our money-saving tips and top offers direct to your inbox with the Mirror Money newsletter