A major Australian pharmacy chain is preparing to open a new store in Harrow Town Centre, taking over the former B&Q Local unit on St Anns Road.
Chemist Warehouse branding has now appeared across the windows at 40-44 St Anns Road, with signs telling shoppers that “Australia’s favourite pharmacy” is opening soon.
The company is also recruiting staff for the new Harrow store, with hiring notices now displayed outside.
Harrow Online understands that the opening is currently being targeted for early November, followed by a larger grand opening in the middle of the month.
What is Chemist Warehouse?
Chemist Warehouse is one of Australia’s biggest pharmacy retailers and is known for its large-format stores selling medicines, health and beauty products, vitamins, fragrances and everyday essentials.
The company operates hundreds of stores in Australia and has also expanded overseas into markets including New Zealand, Ireland and the UAE.
Its move into Britain was announced earlier this year through a partnership between Chemist Warehouse owner Sigma Healthcare and London pharmacy group GreenLight Healthcare.
The first stage of the UK expansion is expected to involve up to five stores, with the possibility of more locations following later.
Sigma said earlier this year that it expected the first Chemist Warehouse store in the UK to open before the end of 2026.
Former B&Q store
The Harrow branch will occupy the former B&Q Local store, which opened at the site in November 2022.
The smaller-format B&Q shop covered around 3,800 sq ft and was part of the retailer’s attempt to bring its products and services to town centre locations. It has since closed, with B&Q confirming that its nearest stores are now in Stanmore and Yeading.
The unit itself had previously been occupied by Poundland before B&Q moved in.
Opening planned for November
A contact involved with the Chemist Warehouse expansion told Harrow Online that work on the Harrow store is continuing.
They said: “Chemist Warehouse is progressing with its plans for the Harrow store, with an opening currently targeted for early November and a grand opening expected in mid-November.”
They added: “While some details are still being finalised, local residents can look forward to seeing the new store open its doors later this autumn.”
Further information about the investment being made in the store and the number of jobs being created is expected once final approval has been given by Chemist Warehouse.
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Chris Mitchell is the founder and editor of Harrow Online, Harrow’s leading local news platform.
He launched Harrow Online in 2010 as a Facebook page sharing local news and information. Since then, it has grown into a trusted source for breaking news, crime, council decisions, planning, transport, business and community stories across the borough.
Harrow Online reaches hundreds of thousands of readers each month and has a social media audience of more than 200,000 followers.
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