Community Home > grayshott messageboard > Our Chemist............!!
Post: #42
Reply to: #1
Joined: 23rd May 2006
From: United Kingdom
Posts: 252
Hi
Any news on how the 'meeting' went ?
I think it has been, or should that be held... no idea. 
Anyways any news ?
Thanks
Post: #43
Reply to: #42
Joined: 23rd Apr 2005
From: United Kingdom
Posts: 49
Hi
As far as I know a meeting by BIG and a representative of Lloyds has not taken place yet. A meeting was requested some while ago by BIG with no response from Lloyds
I understand that the service provided at Beacon Hill is at a much better standard, I wonder why.?
Even the Grayshott Surgery are having troubles in getting supplies from Lloyds Pharmacy.
Can you all report recent incidents of problems that you are having with this pathetic chemist shop in Grayshott !
J Gilbert
Post: #44
Reply to: #43
Joined: 23rd May 2006
From: United Kingdom
Posts: 252
Hi J Gilbert
What you mean appart from the LONG waits in the shop to collect drugs.
Or the LONGER waits for getting the drugs in 10 days one person told me 4 days for another person all of whom had been getting the drugs before with no problems, bare the odd time of out of stocks.
I ask people when they come in with the Lloyds bag in hand what they think or thought of the service they had, and as long as its over the counter goods that are in stock now then they are most happy. As soon as its drugs from behind alot of people are upset at the service they get now.
Personaly I have not used them since change over so can not coment
Just from who I ahve asked
Post: #45
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Have enclosed, below, notes of meeting I chaired last Friday. There is definitely a disappointment from Lloyds that so many people have been left unhappy since their takeover. However, there appears to be a will to recover this lost ground. It may take a little forbearance over the next few weeks, but they have agreed to attend the next BIG meeting on 20th November when I hope there will have been some more positive feedback.
Dick Smith
Meeting between Lloyds Pharmacy & BIG
held at the F&
on 5th September 2007
ATTENDEES
BIG: Dick Smith, Caroline Kaighin, Julie Stevens, Sue Browning & Chris Jones
Lloyds Pharmacy: Kevin Barnes (Regional Manager), Dr Richard Brown (Clinical Development Manager), Ingrid Cruickshank & Jagwant Grewal (Area Managers) and Charlotte (Grayshott Manager)
BIG had asked for the meeting due to the concerns that had been raised in the village with regard to problems that had been experienced since the recent takeover. Major concern for BIG was the possibility of shoppers going out of the village for pharmacy supplies and at the same time buying other goods. This could have a detrimental effect on other businesses in the village eventually impacting on the whole fabric of the village.
The purpose of the meeting was to find out how Lloyds Pharmacy was dealing with the problems being encountered by villagers and the measures being taken to eradicate or lessen them. BIG would be willing to assist in this aim where possible.
It was noted that the meeting had been taken very seriously by Lloyds Pharmacy, evidenced by the management that were in attendance. They opened up by declaring that they were genuinely anxious to work in harmony with the local community. It was recognised that there had been and were problems, but these were now being aggressively addressed.
With regard to stock in the shop, it was pointed out that there was the normal “Company Policy” as to what lines were stocked and what new lines should be introduced. Certain contractual terms with some suppliers made it difficult to deviate into fringe market areas. However, as it becomes clearer as to what sought after lines are not carried in stock, there would be moves to try and ensure that it will be carried in the future. It was also made clear that should anyone want a particular item not in stock, then, on request, every endeavour would be made to obtain it, though it might be a different brand and may take a day or two.
There had apparently been a demand for “Clarin” products to be stocked. This could not be done under strict terms laid down by Clarins until a special counter had been put in to display their goods. This was being done and should be open mid-November, to coincide with the village Christmas lights being switched on. An added benefit will be a counter that could be used for purchase of non-prescription items.
Due to the size of the shop it was unlikely that ALL items required could be stocked, but over the next month or two the shelves were likely to be more fully stocked as it becomes more obvious what items are required for Grayshott. This has to be balanced with demand as many items have a sell-by date.
Turning to the question of prescriptions, it was again recognised that these need to be fulfilled as quickly as possible. To this end a new computer system has been recently installed that would be capable of tracking repeat orders and ensure stock levels are maintained for these as well as the general day to day needs. It was pointed out that there were many instances of fairly specialised drugs required, some with quite a short shelf life, but when an occasion arises whereby the item is not in stock, once again every endeavour would be made to obtain it elsewhere. It was hoped that the new computer system would eliminate most of these problems within the next month or two.
The question of long queues at certain times was raised. It was recognised that there had been a large staff turnover since the takeover and this had not been helpful since new staff had to be trained. This had been exacerbated by staff sickness. And although the Company encouraged their staff to cover more than one area of operation, regulations in the industry precluded this at certain levels, subject to the qualification they had. However, staff recruitment was under way with a fully qualified person starting shortly.
With regard to the audio system in the shop that some villagers disliked, it was pointed out that this was very much part of their policy and considered to be important in getting messages across, particularly those relating to clinical health. Government were now expecting more pro-active measures from Pharmacists, such as screening for high blood pressure or diabetes. Lloyds informed the meeting that their group had already checked a million people for high blood pressure and it was likely that cholesterol checks would be next on the list. As such, their radio service, transmitted throughout the group, was a valuable tool in the encouragement of people to undergo these checks to catch any imbalance at an early stage. However, the volume would be checked to make it as unobtrusive as possible.
All in all, BIG felt that there was a very determined mood to try and get our village pharmacy operating at a level that would satisfy as many people as possible. This might take a bit of time, and a little forbearance may be necessary. Our local manageress, Charlotte, is extremely anxious to achieve this. She pointed out that it was her career and she wanted a bright future working in a village she loved, and would do all in her power to improve anything she could.
BIG agreed to get this message across where possible, and Lloyds agreed to communicate more with the local community through BIG.
Post: #46
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Great, seems very productive.
Post: #47
Reply to: #45
Joined: 23rd May 2006
From: United Kingdom
Posts: 252
Hi Dick
Wooooowww THEY WERE TOLD when they were taking over the shop what lines to stock. The 'old' (not old, but the staff who had been there for years) staff had told them what STOCK to hold. And when they re stocked the shop guess what they did.....
NOTHING. Now most of the pre Lloyds staff are gone.
Why did they not listen to them then, rather than go through all this.... 
'Cos the Managers think they know best. And now to save a bit of Face they are doing this.
I hope I have got it all wrong and that I need to say sorry for this post.
Seems a posative move now though.
A bit like closing the gate after the horse has bolted.
Post: #48
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Joined: 13th Oct 2007
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"Lloyds informed the meeting that their group had already checked a million people for high blood pressure [...] As such, their radio service, transmitted throughout the group, was a valuable tool in the encouragement of people to undergo these checks"
Check out http://www.pipedown.info/ ... Piped music - the facts ... where reference can be found to research on blood pressure and noise ... specifically 'piped music in public places'. "All unwanted noise raises the blood pressure and depresses the immune system."
It could be argued that Lloyds are attempting to increase their sales by raising the blood pressure and lowering the immune systems of their customers ... customers who, as a result, need medication to alleviate the stress-related conditions exacerbated by visiting Grayshott Pharmacy.
The in-house radio can be switched off, by the way ... in spite of assertions to the contrary ... providing you have the doggedness to insist upon it.
Post: #49
Reply to: #16
Joined: 23rd May 2006
From: United Kingdom
Posts: 252
Hi all
Looks like AAH are not giving up planning for the illuminated Fascia and BOX sign.
As planning number 23828/003 has been submited.
( http://62.254.234.181/dconline/AcolNetCGI.gov?ACTION=UNWRAP&RIPNAME=Root.PgeDocs&TheSystemkey=210624 )
Again I must say that its wrong to allow this as the shop has NO external lighting EXCEPT at Xmas as we all do. This photo of the shop when done is nice BUT where is the BOX sign ? ( http://62.254.234.181/docsonlinefiles/35108_5.pdf )
The sign as it is show is ok BUT not illuminated, whats wrong with that as an IDEA to the area managers. the other photos that have been supplied by AAh show the shops up and down the road
http://62.254.234.181/docsonlinefiles/35108_4.JPG
http://62.254.234.181/docsonlinefiles/35108_3.JPG
http://62.254.234.181/docsonlinefiles/35108_2.JPG
And as can be seen there are no other shops that had a illuminated sign bow thing.
Nothing has changed from the last application !! Just a nice photo or two
So again I say NO to this and I think that it should not be passed.
DROP THE BOX SIGN and illumination it might go through.??
And thanks to EHDC who sent me the letter letting me know of this planning application
Post: #50
Reply to: #48
Joined: 23rd May 2006
From: United Kingdom
Posts: 252
Hi Casmir
nice to see somebody looking for info on things, a bit of back ground MUSIC I think is nice as long as its not LOUD. a radio station not CD's or DVD's or the IN house sounds.
No idea what others think about this subject ?
Post: #51
Reply to: #49
Joined: 22nd Apr 2005
From: United Kingdom
Posts: 81
I think you'll find that the application has now been changed to a nonilluminated sign - so at least on this score LLoyds Pharmacy have listened to their customers.
Element 'A'- 1 off set Lloyds' new blue letters and logo on locators. Fitted to timber sub fascia painted to match
Pantone 330c. Text height 205mm, logo diameter 380mm, spread of text 2175mm, O/A spread 3090mm. Height
to underside of sign: 2880mm.
5. Illumination
Will any of the proposed adverts be illuminated? _ Yes .... x No
Peter Hatch
Webmaster www.grayshott.com
Message last edited by Pete Hatch on Oct 14th 2007 at 11:21.
Post: #52
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I still don't see why they have to change the sign at all. It's a pharmacy. It's the only pharmacy in the village, therefore it doesn't need to be identified as a Lloyds pharmacy so that people can differentiate, and choose, between it and another pharmacy, as would be the case in, say, Godalming where there are several (not that anyone would CHOOSE Lloyds over the other pharmacies in Godalming - I went out of my way to go to a different one last week because of my experiences at the Grayshott one, so I expect the identification as a Lloyds pharmacy actually LOSES them business in Godalming by identifying them as the one to avoid!).
I think it's fine the way it is and don't see what's wrong with keeping it like that. The fact that it doesn't have an identified corporate chain name on the outside of the shop is a bonus - makes it seem more friendly, trustworthy and village-like. If only the inside matched.
If they go ahead with the planned colour scheme they better paint the window woodwork as well - it looks especially horrible in the planning mock-up photo with just the top and sides done.
Post: #53
Reply to: #52
Joined: 23rd May 2006
From: United Kingdom
Posts: 252
Hi Anon@84.66
I wish I posteded Anon cos I would be ROTFLMHO right now
BUT Lloyds have got big posters in the windows with the name on it.
Post: #54
Reply to: #51
Joined: 23rd May 2006
From: United Kingdom
Posts: 252
Hi Peter
That might be true BUT why then have they asked for illumination?
Application Number: 23828/003
Application Type: Advertisement Consent
Registration (Validation) Date: 05/10/2007
Earliest Decision Date (Consultation Period Expires): 07/11/2007
Location: The Pharmacy, Headley Road, Grayshott, Hindhead, GU26 6LD
Ward: Grayshott
Parish: Grayshott )2
Proposal: DISPLAY OF ILLUMINATED FASCIA AND BOX SIGN
Case Officer: Lisa Lyons-Conway
Case Officer Tel: 01730 234243
Status: Registered
Agent: Sign Specialists Ltd
Unit 19
Oxleasow Road
East Moons Moat Industrial Estate
Redditch
B98 0RE
Applicant: AAH Plc
Sapphire Court
Walsgrave Triangle Business Park
Coventry
CV2 2TX
Neighbours Received: 0
Committee Meeting Date:
Decision: This case has not yet been decided
Appeal Received Date: This case has no appeals against it
Message last edited by Dogfish on Nov 28th 2007 at 09:43.
Post: #55
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Hi
I've just spoken to EHDC planning and they are changing the title of the application as the new fascia will not be illuminated and not have a box sign but will be as in the photo.
Chris Vardy (secretary Grayshott Society)
Post: #56
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Andrew Howitt and Mark Hall, area managers from Lloyds Pharmacy attended the BIG meeting last week as promised. Local traders were anxious that local people would not be forced out of the village for pharmaceutical goods where they might then buy goods that could have been bought locally. The representatives present faced a barrage of questions, criticisms and suggestions. They responded by agreeing that there had been problems, and although there was still some way to go, they were doing their best to eradicate as many as possible. Stocks were now at much higher levels and, with the new Clarins counter in, they felt the shop was very much more attractive.
There had been a large improvement in prescriptions being filled on the same day, and this would be improved over the next few months as a new computer system gradually tracked the repeat orders. Training of new staff was ongoing and this should also help. They would also look into the possibility of an easier method of customers being able to log any complaints, giving them more help in turning problems round. They also said that they would try and obtain items for customers that were not in stock. They stressed that they wanted to work with the Community and would give any help possible.
It was felt that they now understood the problems and were taking bigger strides to overcome them. However, there was also the recognition that it might still be sometime before everything returned close to what was inherited.
It was hoped that customers would stick it out as other traders did not want their businesses suffering by people being forced to shop elsewhere.
Dick Smith
Post: #57
Reply to: #51
Joined: 23rd May 2006
From: United Kingdom
Posts: 252
Hi All
Looks like Lloyds forgot to feed the Hampsters over the weekend
Looks sorted now a new batch must have been delivered.
