One year after a fire left its premises “completely ruined”, Liverpool’s Euro Chemist will unveil its “fresh and sparkly new” pharmacy to its patients on Thursday (March 28), it told C+D.

In January last year, C+D reported that Euro Chemist, which has operated from Berry Street for over 40 years, had been devastated by an inferno that had left it with smoke and fire damage.

Now, the pharmacy will host a “tea, coffee and cake” afternoon for its patients, members of its local pharmaceutical committee (LPC) and local GP surgeries to offer its thanks for their support over the year.

Read more: Liverpool pharmacy team 'devastated' by fire that 'completely ruined' premises

Pharmacist Derryn Cottrill told C+D that although the year that followed the fire had been difficult, their patients have been “so supportive”. 

Cottrill said that within eight weeks of the blaze, the Euro Chemist team had a temporary dispensary operating from the building’s basement, which was refurbished for the purpose.

This allowed the pharmacy to continue serving its patients using a delivery-only service, she added.

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“Everyone was just so keen to get back,” Cottrill said.

She told C+D that David Barker of Community Pharmacy Liverpool had been a particular help, contacting GP surgeries and other pharmacies to make them aware of the fire.

“Community hub”

Euro Chemist has been a “massive community hub” over the years, acting as a “focal point” where people can “come in for a chat or a coffee whenever they need”, Cottrill said.

She added that over the years the pharmacy has run charity events for the elderly community, mental health days and gardening days among other initiatives. 

“We're just glad we've got the doors open and people can come and sit down and talk if they need us,” she said. 

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The five-strong pharmacy team – including Cottrill, a checking technician, trainee and two temporary staff members – “just can’t wait to welcome everyone back”, she told C+D.

Cottrill added that Euro Chemist’s owner Kenneth Liu, while semi-retired, often helps with Cantonese or Mandarin-speaking patients. 

Euro Chemist will offer Pharmacy First services once its consultation room is finished, as well as private services, while the “nice and clinical” basement will likely continue to be used as it offers the pharmacy “a little more space”, she told C+D.