BOOTS will close its stores in Colwyn Bay and Rhos-on-Sea next year, in what is a huge blow to the towns.

Clwyd West MP David Jones, who slammed the news, was told by the chain that the shops in Colwyn Bay and Rhos-on-Sea would shut.

The company confirmed the pharmacy in Rhos will shut in March, with the Station Road store in Colwyn Bay set to close in April, as part of 300 Boots store closures across the UK

MP David Jones said: “This is hugely bad news for the local community. This is not a case of simple shop closures.

“Pharmacies play an important role in the delivery of health care, and many people will be extremely worried as to how they will be able to obtain essential medicines.

“More broadly, it is another body blow for the local retail economy.

“The Colwyn Bay store is an important element of the once-vibrant Station Road shopping centre, which has already seen the closure of several other prominent stores, including WH Smith.

“Conwy County Borough Council must redouble its efforts to breathe new life into Station Road.

“A good start would be to de-pedestrianise the street, to enable car-borne shoppers to visit it. Pedestrianisation sterilises shopping centres, and is unnecessary with modern traffic-calming methods."