National pharmacy chain Boots has made a major investment in its Ipswich flagship store, in Tavern Street, and a commitment to the town centre.

National pharmacy chain Boots has made a major investment in its Ipswich flagship store, in Tavern Street, and a commitment to the town centre.

The busy Ipswich store, which links into the Tower Ramparts shopping centre for customers, is in a key position right in the heart of the town.

Purav Patel, one of the management team, said: “This is a major investment the company has made in this store.

“There is a new escalator and a customer lift.”

The new escalator is sensor controlled, saving energy when not in use, and then speeding up when customers step on to it.

He said: “Many of our customers are elderly, and many more are parents or new parents with children (and the mother and baby department is on the first floor), so the escalator and new lift are important.

“Our customers our important. We need to make sure they feel that they are welcome here. We are part of the High Street now and we want to be part of the community big time. Customers will see other changes.

“There are new products and more customer advice. What we have done is we have also started travel health clinics as well. A lot of people are travelling abroad on holiday. Our travel health clinics will help a lot of people who are going on holiday, with free advice, and vaccinations when they need them. We are also going to have a massive flu vaccination campaign again this year in September/October.”

Traditionally Boots was always known as the High Street chemist, he said, and they were building on that strength and reputation.

“It is unique for us. Caring is a part of everything we do. We have a lot of people trained to give specific advice in areas such as skin care, health care, sun care, electrical beauty. We have a lot of services in our pharmacy as well,” he added.

“Our pharmacists can give advice to customers. Often customers leave medication with us, although it has been given by a doctor. They can do drug user reviews, which are important for customers.

“We have a parnership with Live Well Suffolk which is about helping the community. We also have a dedicated team here supplying medicines for people in 80% of the car homes in Suffolk. It is important work, and close to home. I am very proud of that.”

A new escalator and customer lift are already in use and there will be an official opening tomorrow, at 10am, with product samples, makeovers, advice and other promotions during the day.

Store manager Melanie Farnworth said: “One of our customers is going to win a hamper of Boots products.

“It has been a massive upheaval, with some parts of the store closed off.

“It is really good to have the store improved for our customers.”