A PHARMACY chain has been forced to come up with an 'action plan' to improve one of its branches in Oxfordshire after a number of complaints from customers.

People living in Botley clashed over the service at Lloyds Pharmacy on West Way Square, with some arguing it is 'rubbish' and staff are 'rude and unhelpful', while others defended them and said they are 'always helpful and friendly'.

However, regardless of the disagreements between residents, Lloyds confirmed plans to make improvements at the branch following the concerns raised.

In a statement to the Oxford Mail, a spokesperson for the healthcare provider said: "We are very sorry to hear that some people have raised concerns about the service at our Botley pharmacy.

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"We are committed to providing the highest of standards, and have an action plan in place to make improvements at this branch as quickly as possible.

"Our customers are very important to us and we apologise for any inconvenience caused."

Criticism and praise simultaneously began piling high after Oxford resident Chris Hall revealed he had lodged an official complaint due to being 'fed up' with the 'appalling' service at the Botley branch.

He also encouraged others to do the same, saying 'the more the merrier'.

Mr Hall added: "To illustrate my point, it has taken more than an hour and a half and three visits to get an incomplete prescription.

"This time I have been lucky as these particular medications are not for anything life changing, however others that I take are."

Many users revealed that they have made the decision to switch to the nearby Woodlands Pharmacy on Botley Road because of the bad service.

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Currently, the pharmacy has a 1.8 out of five star rating on Google with some of the latest reviews criticising employees there for their lack of professionalism.

Only four days ago, customer Dimitra Tzaferou complained that the pharmacy closed four hours earlier than normal and staff were rude on the phone trying to convince her not to go there to take a rapid lateral flow home test because 'they should close in seven minutes'.

But many other Botley residents were quick to point out that this is just a 'smear campaign' against staff who have been working hard to support the community during the pandemic.

Oxford resident Maureen Allsworth said: "I think their service is very much improved and the staff are polite.

"I order online and within two days, the prescription is ready for me."