Boots announces closure of 300 stores across the UK

Health and beauty retailer and pharmacy chain Boots has announced it will close 300 stores across the UK.

The pharmacy shared that eight shops would be closing down in the next few weeks, but another store has since been added to the list.

It has been confirmed that the Boots branch in Holywell, Flintshire, Wales, is shutting on August 26.

However this will not mean a loss of jobs for workers, with Boots offering alternative roles to employees affected by the closures.

One closure, the Boots branch in Heathside Rd, Woking, will close in a matter of days at the end of July.

Boots branches confirmed for closure so far

Heathside Rd, Woking – end of July

UEA campus – end of July

Hamlet Ct Rd, Westcliff-on-Sea – August 1

Holywell, Flintshire (Wales) – August 26

Windhill Road, Wakefield – October 6

Upper Warrengate, Wakefield – October 7

Glastonbury – October 13

Guildford Road, Woking – end of October

Gorleston, Great Yarmouth – November

A spokesperson for Boots stated: “We can confirm that the stores listed are part of the Boots store consolidation programme previously announced,” reported The Mirror.

“All team members from these stores will be offered alternative roles.” Boots currently employees more than 52,000 people.

The closures come despite Boots posting strong quarterly results with retail sales up by 13.4% and a ninth consecutive quarter of market share growth, the publication reported.

CFO James Kehoe specified the closure figure on a Q3 earnings analyst call at the end of June, coinciding with the release of the firm’s quarterly results report.

He said: “We will continue to optimise our locations and opening hours, and expect to close an additional 300 locations in the UK and 150 locations in the US.”

“Over the next year Boots will continue to consolidate a number of stores in close proximity to each other.”

He explained that evolving Boots will allow the retailer to concentrate team members where they are needed, focusing investment more accutely in individual stores whilst striving to consistently deliver an excellent and reliable service.

Express.co.uk has contacted Boots for comment.