NEWS that Kington’s remaining pharmacy has been put on the open market has led to fears and speculation around the town.

Rowlands Pharmacy in the High Street, the subject of significant concern in the past two years, is one of 70 currently up for sale.

Yet despite the shock announcement, customers are being assured that the business will continue under new ownership.

On the market through Christie & Co with a forecast annual turnover of £525,000, the leasehold business is a vital service in Kington and the surrounding area.

In 2017 an announcement that Rowlands would be reducing the level of service led to considerable concern, and there have been intermittent difficulties in providing an on-site pharmacist.

In a statement issued this week Rowlands’ head office said the projected sales – 69 in England, one in Wales – presented a “rare opportunity” for first time buyers and independent operators to acquire corporate pharmacy assets.

“The healthcare sector in the UK is evolving at pace with a growing focus on locally-based preventative care which is a core strength of community pharmacy,” said a spokesman.

Managing director, Kenny Black said that Rowlands was committed to investing in the future and changing dispensing processes in order to “deliver sustainable, profitable growth for the business”.

Due to this strategy, Rowlands will be focusing on a “slightly smaller Rowlands pharmacy network”.

The spokesman said that branch colleagues would be “fully informed and supported” throughout the sale process.