Evington Residents Concerned by Departure of Key Local Services

In the Leicestershire village of Evington, situated on the outskirts of Leicester, residents are expressing apprehension that their community is “closing down” due to the impending relocation of three essential local services: a doctor’s surgery, a pharmacy, and the Post Office, all currently located in the village’s traditional centre. Although these services are slated for relocation rather than permanent closure, villagers perceive the simultaneous announcements as contributing to a sense that “Evington’s closing down”. An individual described the situation as “distressing and depressing,” noting that the proposed changes are expected to disproportionately affect older residents in Evington. St Elizabeth’s Medical Centre, the proprietor of The Surgery in The Common, has submitted an application to the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board to transfer its services to its primary location, situated two miles distant. The medical centre stated that the building owner’s intention to sell the current branch site initiated this relocation proposal, adding: “We are confident that we can improve the quality of care we provide to all our patients.” J&A Pharmacy, a fixture on Main Street since the 1980s, is scheduled to cease operations on 18 November due to financial considerations, as confirmed by its owners, R Glenton & Son. Patrons are advised to utilize Glenton Pharmacy, a sister establishment located slightly over a mile away in Welland Vale Road. Adjacent to J&A, the Post Office is set to close its doors on 2 December. A new branch is slated to commence operations one week later, also on Welland Vale Road, positioned next to the pharmacy. A spokesperson for the Post Office commented: “With any relocation it is inevitable that whilst some customers will have an easier journey to the new location, regrettably others will have further to travel.” John Alexander McFayden, a villager, stated: “Elderly people particularly who pick up their prescriptions here at the pharmacy, who get their stamps and their pensions in the Post Office and go to the GP surgery round the corner – they’re going to be stuck.“But the other thing is, the shops here that depend on footfall, that will go. If that happens and these businesses lose trade, there’s a chance we’ll lose more, and that’s very sad.” Barber Jack Everett further remarked: “Empty shops are just no good for businesses.“Speaking to customers, especially those who are older, it’s been quite a topic of conversation.” Resident Barbara Garlick commented: “It’s going to affect us a lot. It’s a long way for people in the village, and most of them are pensioners, who need the chemist and the Post Office.” Steve Morris, an Evington local, observed: “The Post Office has a facility to draw money and pay bills, which means there will be no other cash dispenser.“As you lose facilities, particularly as you’re older, it’s concerning.” Villager Morag Yates stated: “They’ve been here a long time and they’re part of Evington really.” Meanwhile, resident Diane Jones expressed: “Everything seems to be going, it’s really quite distressing and depressing.“As you get older things being local are very useful, so I do feel that Evington’s closing down.”