The Old Town Pharmacy inside the Co-op on the High Street has now reopened, restoring a service many people feared could be lost. The pharmacy began seeing patients again earlier this month, bringing prescription services and in-person advice back to a busy and central location.
Concerns about local provision had grown after the pharmacy closed, leaving residents worried about where they would be able to collect medicines and seek support. Its return has been described locally as an important step in protecting healthcare access in the area.
There has also been progress with the former Jhoots pharmacy branch in Okus, which has faced prolonged disruption. The site has now been sold to Allied Pharmacies as part of a wider national takeover of former Jhoots branches.
The change in ownership follows a period of uncertainty, during which patients raised concerns about continuity of care and the reliability of services. The new owner has said it plans to stabilise operations and bring affected pharmacies back to full working order.
Commenting on the developments, South Swindon MP Heidi Alexander said: “After a lot of work and pressure over the past year, I’m pleased that pharmacy services in Old Town seem to be turning a corner.”
For residents, the two developments offer reassurance after months of anxiety about access to prescriptions and healthcare advice. While pressures remain across the pharmacy sector nationally, the reopening in Old Town and the sale of the Okus branch are being seen as positive signs for the future of local services in Swindon.
