Residents in Kenton once again have access to a local pharmacy following a long-running campaign by Labour councillors to restore the vital service to the community.
The new pharmacy has now opened its doors, bringing pharmacy provision back to Kenton after Boots closed its local branch in 2024.
Kenton Labour councillors have worked to secure replacement provision ever since the closure was announced. In December 2023, Cllr Stephen Lambert presented a petition to Newcastle City Council calling for a new pharmacy, ensuring residents’ concerns were heard and keeping the issue firmly on the agenda.
Working with Newcastle’s Health and Wellbeing Board and other partners, Labour councillors continued to press the case for a replacement service. The opening of the new pharmacy means residents can once again access prescriptions, medicines advice and other important healthcare services closer to home.
Cllr Ged Bell, Kenton Labour councillor and Leader of Newcastle Labour Group, said:
“This is fantastic news for Kenton and a great result for our community. When the previous pharmacy closed, residents rightly told us how important it was to have this vital service restored.
“We kept making the case for Kenton and working with partners to get pharmacy provision back into our community. We’re delighted to see the new pharmacy now open and serving local residents.”
Fellow Kenton Labour councillor Stephen Lambert said:
“I was proud to present residents’ petition to the City Council back in December 2023 calling for pharmacy provision to be restored in Kenton.
“We knew how difficult the closure was, particularly for older and vulnerable residents and those who rely on regular prescriptions. We promised residents we would keep fighting for a replacement, and it is great to see that hard work finally pay off.
“Thank you to everyone who backed our campaign and helped make sure Kenton’s voice was heard.”
The new pharmacy will provide a convenient local service for residents across Kenton, helping improve access to healthcare and ensuring people can get the medicines, advice and support they need closer to home.