Boots to close one of its pharmacies in Bilston in a blow to the town
Pharmacy giant Boots has revealed it is closing one of its branches in Bilston next week.
The Boots shop, based on Church Street, has been in Bilston since the 1970s.
But bosses have announced that it will close on October 8 after deciding not to renew the shop lease.
The Boots branch in Bilston Health Centre on Prouds Lane will remain open.
Boots officials said there would be no job losses and they were working with staff to redeploy them to other local branches.
Councillors have spoken of their shock, urging the chemist giant to rethink.
A spokesman for Boots UK said: "At Boots UK, we continually review our store locations to make sure they are where our customers need us most.
"We can confirm that we have taken the decision not to renew the lease on our store on Church Street, Bilston, and the store will close on October 8.
"We are actively talking to all of our customers on the matter and are highlighting our local store in Bilston Health Centre on Prouds Lane, where they are able to pick up any prescriptions, access Boots pharmacy services and find their favourite Boots products."
Councillor Linda Leech, Labour councillor for Bilston North said: "It is very unfortunate and I'm very disappointed.
"Though there is still a Boots in the doctor's surgery on Prouds Lane, the closure of this one will mean very long walks for people who were used to using the shop in that end of the town.
"We as a council are working hard to bring new retailers into the town so any loss to the high street is a big one."
Councillor Val Gibson, cabinet member for children and young people and also Labour councillor for Bilston East said: "I'm very sad to see the shop close.
"It it such a well-known brand in Bilston and I would urge Boots to reconsider."
The news follows £176 million of investment in the town as part of the Bilston Urban Village Development.
Councillor Stephen Simkins, Labour councillor for Bilston East added: "I am absolutely devastated that such an iconic brand such as Boots has decided to close one of its stores down in Bilston.
"The council are investing heavily in Bilston as part of the Urban Village Development, so a closure such as this makes little economic sense," he said.
"I would encourage Boots to retain their position in Bilston."
The development will create over 1,000 new homes as well as retail and commercial premises and a significant amount of parkland and open space.
