Photo: Alan Mak MP with the owners and staff of Davies Pharmacy, a fixture on Havant's West Street
Havant MP Alan Mak reserved special praise today for Havant’s historic Davies Pharmacy, which continues to adapt to the challenges of the modern market and larger competitors. On a visit to the family-run business on Friday 5 February 2016, Mak saw first-hand the integral role the pharmacy plays in delivering life-saving medication and professional advice to local residents.
Davies Pharmacy has been a fixture in Havant since the 19th Century, yet the apothecary on West Street has experienced something of a renaissance since being taken over by husband-and-wife team Keith and Anu Seston in February 2013. Major rebuilding work saved the store from imminent collapse, and the business continues to go from strength to strength.
Mr Seston welcomed Havant MP Alan Mak to the pharmacy and showed him the improvements made to the shop and its services in the three years since he rescued Davies. Mak praised the success of the independent store, which has committed to helping the local community through measures such as free delivery and prescription services for house-bound customers.
Mak said: “I enjoyed visiting Davies Pharmacy which is considered something of an institution around Havant. It has experienced a remarkable transformation from crumbling premises to a modern and welcoming pharmacy that Keith and Anu can be extremely proud of.”
The Havant MP added: “Supporting small, family-run enterprises such as this is one of my key priorities as local MP. Having successfully run a small pharmacy in Leigh Park since 1986, it is great to see Keith and his family business expand and prepare for the future with a new focus on consultancy services.”
Mr Seston said: “It was a real pleasure to welcome Alan to our Havant pharmacy today. As our local MP he has always spoken up for small businesses such as ours. His enthusiasm for a holistic healthcare service, beginning with community action, is something we fully subscribe to.”
Seston added: “That is why we promote schemes such as our free deliver service to housebound customers. These drop-offs may be the only contact that elderly or vulnerable residents have for days, and we maintain a good relationship with local GPs should we spot anything that worries us.”
Havant MP Alan Mak is a keen supporter of both small businesses and an effective healthcare system. In Westminster he sits on the All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPG) for Small Businesses, Enterprise, and Small Shops. Mak has also been heavily involved as Vice Chairman of the Hampshire MPS Group with the recent review into the poor practices of Southern Health following the damning Mazars Report.