A campaign is under way aiming to bring a pharmacy back to a residential area of Morecambe.
Pharmacist Asim Iqbal is calling for residents of Westgate to help with an appeal to reopen a pharmacy in the local area.
This follows the closure of Boots Pharmacy next to Westgate GP Surgery in 2024.
Mr Iqbal also said his application to open a replacement pharmacy has been rejected by the NHS.
"Following the tragic closure of Boots Pharmacy Westgate (located on Braddon Close, next to Westgate Surgery), the community has sadly been left without a local chemist since its doors closed on February 2, 2024," he said, in a statement on Westgate Pharmacy - Morecambe social media.
"We deeply believe that Westgate deserves accessible, reliable pharmaceutical services. However, our application to open a replacement pharmacy was recently rejected by the NHS—a decision we intend to appeal.
"To strengthen our appeal, we must compellingly demonstrate the urgent need for a pharmacy in Westgate. We need your heartfelt testimony detailing real challenges experienced since the closure, such as:
"Difficulties travelling on foot, especially for elderly residents or those with mobility restrictions, inconvenient public transport, resulting in long detours to alternative pharmacies, excessive waiting times or delays, prescription or consultation delays, leaving patients anxious or unwell.
"Please help us by sending a letter of support describing your experience—every voice counts. Be as specific as possible: include dates, transport routes, waiting times, or any impacts on health and daily life.
"Email letters of support to: Asim_iqbal@outlook.com
"Your stories can significantly influence the NHS’s decision and help restore essential care to our neighbourhood.
"Thank you for standing with us—together, we can bring back vital pharmacy services to Westgate."
Mr Iqbal lives in Staffordshire and is hoping to relocate to Morecambe.
"There is a big gap in the area, we've had people email us who say the pharmacy was very convenient for them," he told Beyond Radio.
"A lot of people are struggling. Everybody is champing at the bit to see a pharmacy reopen."
He said he hoped to open his pharmacy either at the same location, or close to, the previous one.
Val, a resident who commented on his campaign page, said she'd "sent a message of support before its closure.
"It was a bad decision to close this pharmacy when so many people relied on its services."
Sue, commenting on the 'What's Happening Westgate' page, said: "Boots wasn't a patch on the previous chemist owner, but handy next to GP.
"Westgate is a huge area which has a high percentage of older people as there is sheltered housing and local bungalows, so now carers have to go to Bare or Regent Road. Parking is often non-existent.
"I cannot praise Morecambe Bay Chemist enough, but it is so so busy, the staff are amazing.
"A chemist next to a doctor's surgery makes so much sense, why the NHS has refused the request is beyond me."
The nearest pharmacies to Westgate include those on Regent Road in the West End, Princes Crescent in Bare, Lancaster Road, Torrisholme, and Morecambe Health Centre Pharmacy.
The Lloyds Pharmacy inside Sainsbury's on Lancaster Road, Morecambe, closed in 2023.
Beyond Radio has contacted NHS England for comment.
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