The team who hope to open a new pharmacy in Old Town has given an update on their progress.

Priesh Patel and his family have spent the last few months trying to set up a healthcare hub inside the High Street Co-op following the closures of the Rowlands branch which once occupied that site and the Boots on Wood Street.

If all goes well, they hope to have it open within four weeks of the verdict - but an appeal from another pharmacy down the road could stop this from happening.

The Patels, who manage the Hawthorn Pharmacy in Gorse Hill, sent an application to NHS England at the end of January and then rallied support from residents in the summer to help prove to the NHS that there was a large enough local need to justify the addition to the area.

They later received approval from the council and health authority, who overruled three objections from other local providers.

Two of these providers chose not to go any further, but the third - Victoria Road Pharmacy - lodged an official appeal against the verdict which now has to be considered by the health service.

UPDATE: A representative for the pharmacy told the Adver that they are not against the new addition to the Old Town Co-op but was challenging part of the application which claimed that they were unable to support disabled customers.

Mr Patel explained the next steps: "The appeal hearing was held in October.

"They could not decide whether or not to keep the original approval or decline it - which does not happen often.

"It's now going to an oral hearing later this month, which is the last option to get a verdict."

This will give both the applicant and appelant a chance to put their cases forward and see which one is considered to be more persuasive.

The verdict is then expected to be announced after the new year

Mr Patel added: "There have been a lot of rejections recently so this is actually a good outcome, we have a chance to represent ourselves strongly and get [the appelant] to answer us directly.

"We have had more than 60 emails from people from the Old Town area and outside it supporting our campaign, as well as the local MP Heidi Alexander and the Old Town Business Association.

"The Co-op is still patiently leaving the space empty for us. This is a long process but it will be such a good service for everyone.

"We could open in four weeks [after the verdict] if this gets approved."

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