Permission to open a much-needed pharmacy in a Gloucestershire village has been granted after an 18-month battle.

Badham Pharmacy will provide a full NHS pharmacy service in a new shopping parade, which is currently under construction, at Victory Fields in Upper Rissington from 2 May.

The purpose-built pharmacy will house two private consultation rooms to enable patients to have discussions with a trained pharmacist about their medicine usage or to access a range of free health checks.

The pharmacy will provide a range of other services, including access to urgent repeat medication and treatment for minor ailments free of charge, subject to criteria and a consultation with a pharmacist.

It will also serve local patients who cannot physically visit the premises by providing a free delivery service and dedicated medication dispensing for care homes in the area.

Managing director Peter Badham said: "We're really excited that we're finally able to provide healthcare services to the community of Upper Rissington.

"The pharmacy is now being prepared, ready to provide a raft of services to help residents in the locality from 2 May.

"The community worked very hard under the leadership of councillors Mark MacKenzie-Charrington and Dr Nigel Moor, who ensured that a pharmacy contract was granted to provide services to this growing community.

"Without question the support from these councillors was fundamental to Badham Pharmacy being awarded a contract to provide these essential services."

Cllr Mackenzie-Cherrington from Cotswold District Council and Dr Moor from Gloucestershire County Council officially launched the final stage of building work on the new parade.

What do you think? Email mark@moosemarketingandpr.co.uk 

Picture: left to right, Peter Badham, Liz Bannister (head of Upper Rissington Primary School) with two pupils, Cllr Mark MacKenzie-Charrington, Dr Nigel Moor, Parish Council chairman Jason Corban and parish councillor Andrew MacLean