ASDA has applied to open a pharmacy at its Colne store.

Previous applications by private chemists to open an outlet at the Corporation Street store have failed after opponents argued that the new service would force the closure of traditional pharmacies in the area.

But to support its own bid to East Lancashire Health Authority, Asda has drawn attention to a recent case where judges overturned refusal.

They concluded that convenience was a real consideration and supported the application after concluding that if people working at or visiting the site found it convenient to have prescriptions dispensed there, that would be adequate reason for concluding there was a demand.

The supermarket group says if approval is given, it will open the in-store Colne pharmacy from 8.30am to10pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 8pm on Saturday and 10am to 4pm Sunday.

The issue will be decided by the health authority after consultation with the patient interest group, Burnley Community Health Council (CHC). Last year the CHC came out against an application by a Burnley chemist to open at Colne - by the chairman's casting vote.

Opposition to the application was spearheaded by Pendle councillor John David, who told fellow health watchdogs there was no evidence of public need for the proposed Colne pharmacy.

And there was plenty of evidence that a store pharmacy would hit other outlets, he argued.

"There is no doubt in my mind that local pharmacies would close - it is a proven case," he said. He claimed the advice given by local pharmacists to customers over many years would, as a result, cease because it could not be provided in a large store pharmacy.

But group member John Lloyd disagreed saying all pharmacy outlets had qualified staff available to provide advice.

Burnley councillor Tony Harrison said the self-interest of rival pharmacists had driven the widespread opposition to the plan.

The CHC will give its views on this and other new pharmacy applications within the next two weeks.

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