Pharmacist Alasdair MacIntyre has operated Burnside Pharmacy in Rutherglen since 2003.  Alasdair and his team have built strong bonds with the local community over the past 16 years, however, demand for their services and a need for larger premises was the motivating factor for Alasdair to buy the former Royal Bank of Scotland directly opposite the original pharmacy.  The move to the new premises, which are at least double the size of the old pharmacy, has offered Alasdair the opportunity to expand the range of services, incorporate automation and provide a contemporary and welcoming customer experience.

Commenting on the move, Alasdair said:

“We had really outgrown our old premises and trying to operate in such a small space was becoming increasingly challenging so when the bank became available, I seized the opportunity to relocate.  The new premises mean we have the space to deliver more health care services and as primary health care becomes even more aligned to community pharmacy, we have the capacity to adapt and deliver future health care as it develops.

“I also thought long and hard about automation with the installation of a BD Rowa robot.  The whole concept of automation is still in its infancy within community health care so it was a bit of a leap of faith for us to purchase the robot.  It’s early days and the robot plus the move to larger premises has meant that we have had to relook at how we operate as a business but the signs are promising and we are already seeing improvements to efficiencies and expect that to improve even more as we bed into our new environment.”

“When contemplating the move, I didn’t hesitate to decide on who I was going to work with to design and fit-out the pharmacy.  I used Retail Design Consultants because they are a specialist pharmacy fit-out company and previous experience with them proved that they really know what they are talking about.  They think laterally about environment with an innate understanding of pharmacy and workflow.  Their attention to detail is second to none and understand the importance of simple things, for example, how every workstation needs to have a waste bin and where plug points need to be located.  The end result is way beyond my expectations.

“I am a bit of a stickler for detail but the team at RDC are even more so and their ability to interpret my needs with their own ingenuity has resulted in a pharmacy which can evolve and adapt in future years.”

Retail Design Consultants were responsible for the full design and fit-out of the new pharmacy.  Automatic, DDA compliant doors provide an entrance way to a light-infused, welcoming retail area with bespoke furniture for retail display and a patient waiting area which directly faces the robot to let clients see automation in practice.  The pharmacy brand colours of Shorewood, turquoise and white is evident throughout and the split-level retail counter has been designed to also serve those with mobility issues.  A private advice area to the right of the retail counter offers a confidential area for client to discuss issues with staff.

Retail Design Consultants have optimised the available space with a large, well-appointed dispensary with various workstations and floor to ceiling shelving; two very spacious consultation rooms; a staffroom; WCs; storage areas and there was also enough room for a Board room for staff training and meetings.

Alasdair McIntyre commented:

“The pharmacy has been designed by Retail Design Consultants in such a way that it can be tweaked as time goes by which is really important as community health care continues to evolve.  We have been inundated with positive messages from old and new customers about how impressed they are by the new pharmacy which I think is the best testament to the collaborative approach adopted between myself and Retail Design Consultants.”