An Isle of Wight pharmacy opened the doors to its new premises on Regent Street earlier this week after the transfer of 117,000 boxes over the weekend and preparations coming ‘down to the wire’.
The former Toymaster shop at 70-74 Regent Street in Shanklin is now home to Regent Pharmacy, which has moved from a smaller site across the road.
The move comes following a 3-year transformation project with thousands of hours of skilled work and over half a million pounds in investment.
Owner Gary Warner said the first 2 hours of the opening were “exceptionally challenging” due to initial problems with printers – sorted out by “superb” IT support in the first 45 minutes – and switching over phones.
Praising his “amazing” team who had “a million questions”, he said:
“It really was down to the wire in the end, we were here till 10pm last night.
“In here at 5am this morning, having spent the whole weekend moving 117,000 boxes across the road.”
He previously told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) having more space in the new premises “will make us quicker”, with room for patients to sit down and new facilities for staff.
Part of a steady stream of trade this morning was 94-year-old Harry Janes who praised both the pharmacy’s appearance and customer service.
However, the East Cowes resident, who said he was deaf, added that he could not hear himself talk in the new building and that the old branch was quieter.
Marion Hawes, 78, from Apse Heath, said:
“It was very easy to get in there, nice smiley faces behind the counter. There’s plenty of queuing space – that’s going to be good for winter.”
The roadmap to the new site began in June 2023 when Regent Pharmacy signed a lease.
In early 2024, structural engineers came in and detailed plans started to be shaped for the layout of the premises – balancing patient flow, safety and space.
Applications were lodged with the Isle of Wight Council for planning and building control by the middle of the year.
The landlord started major remediation works in early 2025 and towards the end of the year further structural problems were uncovered which needed immediate attention.
In 2026, works included wall insulation, waterproofing, and final flooring ahead of today’s opening.
Mr Warner this morning gave his “huge thanks” to the premises’ neighbours and said the following weeks would see the staggered announcement of new services.
