A leading high-street pharmacy chain has shared plans to close down hundreds of stores in the coming months.

It comes as Walgreens Boots Alliance - Boots' US-based parent company, previously said in June 2023 that it would be closing down 300 pharmacy outlets in the UK within the year.

They added that closures are part of a money-saving scheme to save around £618million.

The Pharmaceutical Journal reported that Boots has confirmed a few pharmacies set for closures but have not yet been closed but will cease trading by the end of summer 2024.

Currently, across the UK there are more than 2,100 Boots stores still open, but Walgreens Boots Alliance shared in their financial statement for the last quarter that they would shut 650 Boots stores in the UK for cost-cutting measures.

Earlier in the year, Boots confirmed all the stores closing for the first part of 2024, with 581 branches closed by 31 May.

Despite the new closures, Boots UK confirmed that they were already communicated in the plans and do not mean more pharmacy closures.

Boots already closed its branch in Harraby, Carlisle, with the building posied for a new takeaway after plans were reported in the News and Star earlier this year.

READ MORE: Plans put forward for takeaway on Carlisle's Petteril Bank Road

Boots' city centre store was not named on the list of stores set for closure.

The English Street-based shop is situated near the House of Fraser building which closed earlier this year, and Marks and Spencer, which has had its share of national closures in recent times.

READ MORE: House of Fraser, Carlisle closes its doors for the final time

Commenting on the closures, Tim Wentworth, CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance, said: “We continue to face a difficult operating environment, including persistent pressures on the US consumer and the impact of recent marketplace dynamics, which have eroded pharmacy margins.

"Our results and outlook reflect these headwinds, despite solid performance in both our international and US healthcare segments.”

Adding: “Informed by our strategic review, we are focused on improving our core business: retail pharmacy, which is central to the future of healthcare.

"We are addressing critical issues with urgency and working to unlock opportunities for growth."

The brand added that it has been increasing its saving targets annually and said that it is 'currently on track to achieve the savings target'.