Boots move out and Apple moves into Kingussie

It is all change on Kingussie High Street with Boots pulling out after more than a decade.

It was in January that rumours first started circulating that the retail giant was going to be leaving the Badenoch capital.

But while Kingussie is losing its Boots it is not losing its vital High Street pharmacy.

The Strathy was told earlier this year that the nationwide giant is rationalising – its policy of ‘not doubling up in one area’ has been more or less common knowledge since last summer.

Aviemore has its own Boots in the Myrtlefield Shopping Centre. It is understood there will be no redundancies at the Kingussie store.

The leasehold has been taken up by an independent pharmacy, so the outlet will revert to its earlier incarnation.

The owners of the building, who decades ago ran a highly successful chemist of their own, have leased the shop to another independent, Apple Pharmacy, and the news has been well received in the town.

Fellow retailer Lydie Bocquillon, who runs the Cheese Neuk next door, said: “It’s right that the High Street should have independent traders and whoever they are we wish the new tenants every success.”

The new company posted out an introduction to itself and its services on local social media.

An Apple Pharmacy spokesperson stated: “On July 15 we acquired the pharmacy business from Boots within your neighbourhood.

“We have created a draft Facebook Page called Kingussie Pharmacy which is the new name we have given the shop.

“Our new pharmacy manager Rukiye is looking forward to meeting you all.

“We will be dispensing all NHS/private prescriptions, provide all NHS services such as Pharmacy First and public health services, over the counter medicines, advice and many other new clinics in the future, such as ear wax treatment, travel clinics and weightloss clinics.

“Please like the Facebook page which we will update over next few weeks along with a new website dedicated to Kingussie Pharmacy patients and customers.

“We look forward to meeting you all.

“ Please visit us soon.”

The new company also announced: “We plan to have a daily delivery service and will be hiring locally new team members.

“Any questions please message the page or email me on sanjay@majhu.net

“Thanks.

“Kingussie Pharmacy.”

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