Community Pharmacy Design and Fit-Out, Stepps Pharmacy

An integral part of the community for almost 50 years, Stepps Pharmacy has always played a major role in providing pharmacy services for the local population.  Up until June 2020, the pharmacy was located across the road from its new premises, which are now housed in a former bank building.  Recently acquired by experienced pharmacist Ron Badger, the move to new premises has given Stepps Pharmacy a new lease of life and an opportunity to develop a myriad of healthcare services which would have been impossible to provide from its previous location.

Ron commented:

“The pharmacy and its staff have always enjoyed close relationships with the community of Stepps; however, the previous unit was small and demand for services and pressures on what could be delivered from the existing space were taking their toll.  Relocating to much larger premises has given us opportunities to expand and develop in a way which would just not have been possible otherwise.

“I have great ambitions on developing services for the pharmacy, so it was really important that the design and ergonomics work for what we want to deliver today but is adaptable enough to incorporate any future changes.  New housing developments are springing up all the time in the area and I have plans to develop services such as a Travel Clinic, COVID testing and other healthcare services.”

“I have refitted several pharmacies over the last few years and I always turn to the team at Retail Design Consultants to help design and fit-out each pharmacy.  There are lots of reasons why I use them but ultimately it is because I put my trust in them to deliver the best pharmacy environment.

“Designing and fitting out a pharmacy is a world apart from everyday retail design as there is so much to consider and space has to be used to optimal benefit so that the pharmacy can be a dispensary, retail space and consulting space.  To add to the challenge, we also incorporated automation, so the design had to effectively and efficiently utilise the space for a BD Rowa dispensing robot and a Pharmaself24 collection robot.

“RDC are great to partner with and will always suggest things which mean some changes to the original design, but their adaptability is one of the things which makes them a pleasure to work with.  They are perfectionists and it is not until you start physically working on the unit that things come to light.  They always have the foresight to recommend adaptations which are going to be of huge benefit to the pharmacy

“The pharmacy has to be many things to many people – staff and customers alike and that is why I used RDC because they have the experience and expertise to reflect that in the design and fit-out.

“Obviously work had to stop for a while during lockdown but as soon as circumstances allowed, RDC were back working on the project and they put every effort into finishing the shop on time for the sale to complete.”

Retail Design Consultants provided a full turnkey service of design, warrant and planning applications, building works, complete shop fit-out and internal and external signage.  The project included:

  • Strip out of the premises and creation of new walls and rooms , including the external building works to create the opening for the new Pharmaself24 Collection robot
  • The creation of a new Consultation Room and a new private Supervised Advice area
  • Forming a new DDA accessible toilet within the ground floor of the pharmacy
  • Seamless integration with the production teams at BD Rowa and Pharmaself24, ensuring the services they required were in place and operational at the time of install.
  • Bespoke manufacture of all dispensary and retail furniture and fittings, at our state of the art factory in East Kilbride
  • Full trades package supplied to realize the project to completion
  • Full signage contract, including illuminated LED signs as per client request

David Donaghue from RDC added “We were delighted that Ron approached us once again to support him on the project and that he trusts us to deliver a pharmacy design that will meet his goals and vision. The integration of not only a Dispensing robot, which Ron has also incorporated in historical refits but also a Collection robot meant that the design and planning had to be meticulous, which in turn creates the efficient, ergonomic and adaptable layout which the modern-day pharmacy demands.

The current pandemic and the lockdown in March meant that although works on-site had started, our team had to quickly change and react to ever-changing circumstances, both with supply chain issues and site restrictions to ensure the safety of contractors. Ultimately our vast experience and knowledge in pharmacy design and shopfitting allowed us to ensure there was as minimal disruption as possible, and completion was achieved timeously and to the exacting standards we are renowned for.  We wish Ron and all his staff and customers the very best for the future.”

Ron concluded:

“Although we have only been operating from the new premises for a few months, we are already seeing fantastic efficiencies with over 300 people per week collecting from the Pharmaself24, a 50% increase in retail sales and a big increase in returning customers.  There is simply nothing else like in in the area and feedback has been tremendous.  Customers really appreciate having the facility and there is a huge level of confidence in what we provide.”