LLOYDS Pharmacy will close its Salisbury store next month, blaming changes to government policy.

The chemist, which moved to Minster Street from Blue Boar Row only last year, confirmed the news as customers were told their prescriptions would be sent to other pharmacies.

A notice in the window of the pharmacy states that the store will close on March 13, leaving Wilton as the nearest branch.

Lloyds said: “We fully understand the impact that such changes can have on local communities, especially for people that have been customers for a long period of time.

“As part of our decision-making process, we have looked at other community pharmacy provision in the area with a view to mitigating the impact on patients as much as possible.

“We will be taking every opportunity to direct patients to other community pharmacies in the area and to support a smooth transition to facilitate an uninterrupted service.”

According to the company it will be supporting staff and, where vacancies are available, employees will be moved to nearby stores.

Last year the chain said that it would close around 190 stores following changes to NHS England funding for pharmacies which made the business “commercially unviable”.

Managing director Cormac Tobin said: “With pressures in the economic and funding landscape it is vital that we take a leading role in the evolution of community pharmacy, to ensure that our business is sustainable for the future.

“We recognise pharmacy needs to adapt to changing societal trends and take advantage of the opportunities digitalisation offers patients.

“To achieve this we need a new operational framework that meets the future needs of patients.”