By Jenny Barwise

Last updated at 11:51, Friday, 13 July 2012

Bosses from a company which is opening a chemist shop on a Workington estate will meet with concerned residents to discuss the plans.

The Mills shop

The announcement last month that the former Mills Paper Shop in the Moorclose shopping precinct was to be turned into part of the Saeed Ltd chemist chain caused concern among some on the estate.

They said that when it opens it could become a drugs haven but the pharmacist strongly disputed this, insisting it would be a benefit to the community.

And on July 24 representatives from Saeed Ltd will give a presentation about their plans at a community meeting.

A lot of the estate’s residents said they were appalled that the paper shop, which has been at the heart of the community for more than 50 years, was to close.

Stacey Devlin, of Newlands Lane South, used the Paypoint service in the paper shop to pay her TV licence as well as buying lottery tickets.

Since the announcement two weeks ago, these have both been stripped out in preparation for the chemist opening.

“I don’t like the idea at all,” she said. “I will probably have to go into town now – its a joke.”

And others say they are living in fear of gangs of drug users gathering around the chemist, waiting for their medication.

Alison Bragg’s home on Glen Road backs onto the chemist.

“I just don’t want it there and definitely don’t want to be living behind it. I have already had my fence knocked down and things will just get worse now,” said the 29-year-old.

But the pharmacist has insisted that this will not be the case.

Qammar Nazir of Saeed Ltd said that he was positive that gangs of drug users would not congregate outside, adding that “patients would be dealt with in a professional manner and all procedures will be in place to avoid any issues”.

Mr Nazir said that extensive market research was carried out for the need for a pharmacy on the estate, with 400 surveys sent to households with nearly all of them in support of the proposal.

He said a 200-signature petition had also been completed in support.

He has vowed to continue the current newspaper service and has said the company will look to keep all or the majority of the staff.

Moorclose Neighbourhood Forum takes place on Tuesday, July 24 from 7pm at The Minto Centre.

First published at 11:24, Friday, 13 July 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk