Plans for new store in Crouch End
Charlotte Newton A Crouch End pharmacy has come to the community's rescue with plans to expand its business into the former Myers Furnishing site. Residents and traders were devastated when the cherished furniture shop shut in January – just days after Wo
Charlotte Newton
A Crouch End pharmacy has come to the community's rescue with plans to expand its business into the former Myers Furnishing site.
Residents and traders were devastated when the cherished furniture shop shut in January - just days after Woolworths shut its doors.
The closure of the popular businesses was the biggest signal yet that Crouch End was suffering the effects of the global credit crunch.
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But on Tuesday, pharmacists Jayesh Patel and his wife Bhaval, revealed their plan to move next door and take over the space where Myers used to be.
Mr Patel, 26, said: "Times are very difficult for everyone at the moment so we decided that we have to do something for the community and expand our business.
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"Someone needs to do something to keep customers in the area otherwise things will just go from bad to worse.
"We hope this will help boost the local economy."
His shop - Petter Pharmacy - is at number 47 Crouch End Broadway and is only 900 sq ft. The new premises are more than double this at 2,500 sq ft.
Mr Patel, who employs seven full-time and eight part-time staff, said his burgeoning business would provide a range of new services. These include a diabetes service, advice on how to stop smoking, cholesterol monitoring and a weight loss clinic.
He is confident that the pharmacy will work alongside the new Hornsey Central Hospital when it opens in June.
"We're going to be working alongside the new hospital," he said. "So if Hornsey Central is busy and patients need chiropody care, for example, they will be able to come to us."
Mr Patel, who grew up in Kenya until he was 16, owns the business with his wife and four brothers.
He took over the business from John Green, who had owned it for nine years, in November.
"We chose to take over the pharmacy in Crouch End because it was clear that John was very well liked and he had provided an excellent service to the community, said Mr Patel.
Mrs Patel added: "It's quite exciting because there will be a lot of new products and services in the shop.
"We're hoping it will benefit the whole community.
