More than 2,000 patients of an independent pharmacy in the Cotswolds have signed a petition against Budgens opening an in-store rival just 400 metres away.

The petition was launched by a patient of AD Byers pharmacy in Moreton-in-Marsh on August 13, and had already gathered 2,200 signatures, pharmacist Imran Waraich told C+D yesterday (August 28).

Mr Waraich said he had "no idea" of the petition against the proposed Budgens pharmacy until he received a letter from NHS England last week. He voiced support for the local objections, as his business could take a "massive hit" from the planned rival.

"Budgens is just 400 metres away and we're in a rural town so our population size is small and not increasing by that much," Mr Waraich told C+D.

 "People are saying that there is no need for it [the Budgens pharmacy] as we are doing an adequate job. We have an extra pharmacist twice a week and a really big building, so we're raising as much awareness as we can," he added. 

The petition will continue until September 2 and NHS England will accept any feedback on the planned Budgens pharmacy until September 10. Budgens was not available for comment at the time of publication.

	Do you think a multiple in close proximity can damage an independent's business?