Littlemore Pharmacy officially opened its doors in Cowley Road on Monday, August 24, with pharmacist Abdi Hassan providing convenient access to services for locals.
It comes after complaints that access to healthcare in Littlemore was ‘simply not good enough’ after the last pharmacy in Littlemore on Cowley Road closed in April 2023.
Councillor Stares, Abdi Hassan and Cllr Henwood at the opening of Littlemore Pharmacy (Image: David Henwood)
Councillor David Henwood, who supported the opening of the pharmacy, said: “It is fantastic to see the new Littlemore Pharmacy officially open its doors.
“This has been a project I have been very keen to support because having good local services within walking distance makes a real difference to residents.
“Today is about celebrating the hard work that has gone into getting the pharmacy open and, most importantly, giving residents another valuable service right here in Littlemore.
“I would like to congratulate Mr Hassan and his team and wish them every success for the future.
“I am sure the pharmacy will quickly become an important part of our community.”
Councillor David Henwood and councillor Anne Stares outside the pharmacy in Littlemore, before it officially opened (Image: David Henwood)
Permission was granted by the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board for the new service provider in June 2025, and an appeal against it launched by Henley Avenue Healthcare Ltd, who run Donnington Pharmacy, was dismissed in December.
The NHS board noted in a report that 25 per cent of Littlemore residents do not have access to a car, and the neighbourhood falls into the 20 per cent most deprived areas in England, and received personal letters from residents describing how difficult they found it to access pharmacies.
Mr Hassan, owner of Littlemore Pharmacy, said he was ‘delighted’ to open their doors.
Abdi Hassan meeting a resident in Littlemore (Image: David Henwood)
“We could not have delivered the pharmacy without the support of Anne and David, who both gave evidence at the NHS hearing and made a particular contribution to the case for bringing this much-needed service to Littlemore,” he said.
“Their support, alongside that of local residents and others who recognised the importance of having a pharmacy in the community, was greatly appreciated.
“Our aim is to provide a friendly, professional and accessible service for the people of Littlemore.
“We want residents to feel that this is their local pharmacy and somewhere they can come for advice and support.
“I would like to thank everyone who has supported us in getting to this point. We are very excited about the future and look forward to serving the community.”
City councillor Anne Cllr Stares, who represents Littlemore, said: “Local facilities like this matter. They make it easier for residents to access essential services without having to travel further afield, and they contribute to the strength and vitality of the local community.
“I want to congratulate Mr Hassan on bringing the pharmacy to Littlemore and wish him and his team every success.”