Local Labour Councillors in East Brighton are backing a public petition aimed at saving a community chemist on Arundel Road. The petition currently contains over 600 signatures.

East Brighton’s Labour Team, which includes local Labour Leader, Cllr Gill Mitchell, are supporting residents calls for the Brighton & Hove NHS Primary Care Trust to reverse its recent decision to refuse applications from two local chemists to open in the former Lloyds Pharmacy premises at Arundel Court on Arundel Road.

The PCT’s decision to refuse the applications is apparently based on claims that there are enough chemists in the area already. However, local people and Labour Councillors do not agree.

Brighton & Hove Labour Leader, Councillor Gill Mitchell, said:
“Local people were really sad to see Lloyds Pharmacy go, but it seemed as if the premises would soon be taken over by another chemist. I don’t think anyone expected Brighton & Hove Primary Care Trust to block these plans. It’s ludicrous and local residents are rightly furious.

“That’s why we as local Labour Councillors are backing the community and we will continue to fight alongside local residents until we get the chemist Arundel Road deserves.”

Cllrs Mitchell and Morgan with local residents and traders

Local Labour Councillor, Warren Morgan, said:
”The PCT claim the area doesn’t need another chemist- well they obviously don’t understand the geography of the area, or the access difficulties for people who are now having to travel by bus to ASDA or Whitehawk Health Centre.

“With no chemist in the area, local businesses may also suffer a drop in footfall, posing a serious threat to the community’s sustainability.”