AN INDEPENDENT pharmacy has won its battle to open on an Oxford estate, despite facing intense opposition from major chains.

The Leys Pharmacy is looking to open in Blackbird Leys Road 'as soon as possible' after it was granted an NHS contract.

Boots, Lloyds and Rowlands had all voiced opposition to the pharmacy opening and still have the chance to appeal the decision.

The Superintendent Pharmacist for Leys Pharmacy, Taofik Shodunke, said he was 'ecstatic' upon hearing the news.

He said: "I am so pleased- I know what it means for this estate.

"I just hope the big companies realise now the need for us to open and the level of support we have."

He added: "A lot of people saw the situation we were in and stuck up for us.

"We're very grateful to the Oxford Mail for featuring the story and helping to raise awareness of what was happening."

A chemist has served the estate from the same spot for 25 years until Lloyds closed their branch there in January, citing the impact of NHS cuts.

The Leys Pharmacy, which has three existing branches in the city, applied to register the premises on the ‘pharmaceutical list’, allowing for NHS prescriptions – 90 per cent of most pharmacies' income – to be dispensed.

In response to the application, the three pharmacy giants – which all runs shops nearby – made official objections, claiming the area has enough chemists already.

But the NHS committee tasked with making the decision on the application over-ruled the objections.

It found the high number of elderly people and those with mobility issues meant some may struggle to access existing services.

If no appeal materialises before August 4, Mr Shodunke said the pharmacy is ready to open within weeks.

It will offer the full range of services previously provided by Lloyds and open from 8am until 7pm, on Monday to Friday, 9am until 5pm on Saturdays and between 11am and 4pm on Sundays.

Linda Smith, councillor for Blackbird Leys, said: "This is brilliant news. I was out talking to residents in Blackbird Leys Road only last weekend and many people raised the issue of the closed pharmacy and how they desperately wanted to see it reopened."