AN INDEPENDENT pharmacy group has officially taken over from Boots Pharmacy in Appleby. 

Initially announced on social media in May 2024, The Green Tree Pharmacy's branch moved forward with plans to assume operations of the pharmacy on 11 Borough Gate, renaming it Eden Pharmacy.

The takeover took place on June 3. 

Despite the shop sign being down, the Kirkby Stephen-based firm has reassured the community that it remains a pharmacy.

The transition, however, brings along initial 'teething problems'.

Notably, card payments will not be accepted for the first two weeks, mandating cash transactions.

On social media, a spokesperson said: "We have very limited shop stock choices but if you have anything you wish us to order, we will try our best to get it in and it will also shape what stock will be in store in the future.

"Thank you for your patience and we will turn this around as soon as possible as best as we can," they said. 

Appleby Medical Practice shared a statement on the transition.

They said: "We will be working very closely with the new owners of the pharmacy and wanted to reassure patients that any prescriptions that are currently sent to Boots, Appleby should automatically transfer to the new pharmacy unless patients advise us otherwise.

"Obviously there may be teething problems when the changeover is made, so please bear with us if prescriptions do not instantly migrate from the old pharmacy to the new one.

"Our medicine management team will be working very hard with the new Pharmacy to ensure the changeover is as seamless as possible," they said.