This follows a number of local issues with unexpected closures, lack of pharmacies and growing public frustration, which have also become apparent nationally as well.

As of November 7, Jhoots Pharmacy on Curie Avenue is closed to the public “temporarily” however, no date for its reopening has been confirmed.

Consequently, Old Town Surgery put out a message on their Facebook page encouraging people to nominate a new pharmacy via the NHS App, their GP practice or by contacting another pharmacy directly in order to avoid any prescription delays.

At the time of writing, the pharmacy remains locked, with no notices about closure visible.

Jhoots Pharmacy on Curie Road in Swindon is currently closed to the public. (Image: Newsquest)

Last week, Allied Pharmacies announced that it had “taken over the management of 60 Jhoots pharmacies” across England.

Their list includes another currently closed Jhoots pharmacy in town – this time at Shaw, West Swindon, which can be found in Shaw Village Centre.

The Shaw pharmacy is locked, and there is a sign reading ‘Hearts Pharmacy coming soon. December 1,’ in its window.

A sign in the window of the Shaw branch suggests the pharmacy will be open again on December 1. (Image: Newsquest)

Addressing their takeover, Allied Pharmacies said that the majority of the locations they have taken on are “temporarily closed”, and that they are “fully committed to reinstating essential pharmacy services”.

They have stated that they are “taking steps to address outstanding salary arrears of employed staff”, expressing their appreciation for the former employees’ “commitment” at this “difficult” time.

“We recognise the fundamental role that community pharmacies play in supporting public health and wellbeing and understand the disruption caused by these closures, particularly for vulnerable groups who depend on local access to vital healthcare services,” Allied Pharmacies said.

Allied Pharmacies has called for “intervention at a national level”, to address “systemic underfunding” of pharmacy services across the country.

The total number of branches under Allied Pharmacies’ control now totals approximately 210 in England and Wales.

Attempts were made to contact Jhoots Pharmacy.

Heidi Alexander meeting with Jhoots Pharmacy executives (Image: Heidi Alexander)

In September 2025, the Adver reported on a petition signed by hundreds of people, which called for Jhoots to improve its services at the Shaw branch.

Swindon South MP, Heidi Alexander, also joined the call for Jhoots to sort out problems that had been plaguing the local area, particularly at the Shaw branch.

Following a meeting in October, she said: “Since launching the petition, I’ve been contacted by people not just in Shaw and Old Town but right across the country, all reporting the same shocking issues – from doors closed to patients unable to get essential medication, to staff unpaid for months at a time.

Last week, I met with Jhoots’ CEO, Sarbjit Singh Jhooty, presented our petition signed by over 300 residents, and shared the personal stories of people in our town unable to access basic health care from their local pharmacy. Frankly, I left the meeting unconvinced that the company understands the seriousness of this completely unacceptable situation or has a credible plan to fix it.

“Therefore, I’ve written to the local NHS Integrated Care Board, the Department of Health, and the General Pharmaceutical Council to demand urgent action and an investigation into the Jhoots branches in Swindon. I’ve also joined forces with MPs across the country who are seeing the same problems in their areas.”