“HIGH demand” for a pharmacy in Haddington could result in a building which was previously earmarked for a cafe being converted.

Haddington Retail Park is already home to Costa Coffee, The Food Warehouse, Aldi and Home Bargains.

Last month, a Shell petrol station, complete with Greggs, Spar, LEON Coffee and VAPE Xchange, opened its doors, leaving one unit vacant at the site at Gateside, on the town’s western edge.

EPIC (No 2) Ltd has already applied to East Lothian Council – which approved the retail park – for a certificate of lawfulness to change the use of the remaining building.

The application comes at the same time as a public consultation is under way about the prospect of a pharmacy opening on the site.

READ MORE: Pharmacy proposed for Haddington Retail Park

EPIC (No 2) Ltd said: “Despite extensive marketing, it has not been possible to find a class three occupier for the unit.

“However, interest has been shown in a pharmacy use.

“There is a significant growing population on the western side of Haddington and there is a high demand for service facilities such as pharmacies.

“The development at Haddington Retail Park was in part considered to fulfil the role of a ‘local centre’ for the western part of Haddington and such a use would be consistent with that role.”

GLM Romanes Ltd, which is behind the existing pharmacy on the town’s Market Street, is looking to expand and open on the site.

The Duns-based pharmacy, which also has two further pharmacies in East Lothian, is working alongside NHS Lothian for the consultation.

Range of services

GLM Romanes Ltd plans to provide a range of services, including core services, such as acute and chronic medication services, as well as private consultations, from the pharmacy.

Plans suggest that the pharmacy would be open from 9am to 6pm throughout the week, with the exception of Sunday, when it would close at 1pm.

If approved, the new pharmacy would not impact the existing facility in the town centre.

Earlier this year, Councillor Tom Trotter, who represents the town on East Lothian Council, told the Courier that he felt there were positives to the idea, including the close proximity to East Lothian Community Hospital.

He said: “First and foremost, obviously the fact the building would be getting used is good. It has been empty since the retail park opened and there would be an opportunity for two or three jobs, I would imagine."

Go to nhslothiansurveys.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/pharmacy-public-consultation-haddington to take part in the consultation.