PLANS to close a Kidlington pharmacy have been described as ‘inhumane and cruel’ by a community activist who has said he will protest outside the branch.

The Oxford Road branch of Lloyds Pharmacy is understood to be shutting for good later this month, with most staff made redundant.

Pat Mylvaganam, 88, said: “Businesses only seem interested in profit not their role in communities.

"I think it is inhumane and cruel to close the pharmacy, especially at a time like this and with apparently no consultation."

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Claire Adams, who is housebound and relies on medication delivered from the Oxford Road chemist, said she found out six weeks ago but struggled to get the word out.

The 53-year-old said: "I'm heartbroken. It's awful for the staff, who don't deserve this at all."

She added: "It's going to be a really serious problem as the other chemists locally don't deliver. I've been moved to one in Eynsham but they are already busy."

An online petition created by Mr Mylvaganam had been signed by 65 people, as of yesterday afternoon. The petition states the pharmacy is the ‘largest and most popular’ in the area adding: “When Kidlington lost its post office which was next door, Lloyds Pharmacy immediately took over the space, expanding its stock and introducing wheelchairs and other vehicles for the disabled, as well as additional medical gadgets and equipment. It also has its own car park.

“However, presumably due to the temporary loss of business during the pandemic, this vital service to the people of Kidlington and passers-by, is closing its doors.”

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It went on: “This closure will impact the whole community, especially the elderly, infirm and disabled.

David Betts, vice-chair of Kidlington Parish Council, said he only became aware of the closure recently via social media.

He said: “I think it is disappointing in the sense we have a pharmacy in Sainsbury’s and an independent pharmacy in the south of the village but this was the only one in the middle. I understand there is a pharmacy within the practice in Exeter Close, which is nearby, but that is for prescriptions and refills.”

David Robey, chair of the parish council, added for those self-isolating there was volunteers able to collect medication with details via the parish council website.

In July the pharmacy chain announced that it was placing some roles at risk of redundancy because of income losses and the impact of coronavirus.

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Chief executive of parent company McKesson UK, Toby Anderson, said the firm’s financial problems had ‘accelerated our need to act to protect our long-term future’.

In 2017, Lloyds Pharmacy announced that it was closing or selling off 190 of its branches because they were no longer ‘commercially viable’ following government cuts to funding for community pharmacy.

The Kidlington branch is understood to be closing on September 14 but this has not been confirmed.

Lloyds Pharmacy was contacted but did not respond before the paper went to print.

Visit change.org and search 'Save LloydsPharmacy in Kidlington' to sign the petition.