Cootes Pharmacy

Have used this pharmacy a few times without absolutely any problems. Quite the opposite staff have always been friendly and polite. However, today I had to deal with a very rude pharmacist who refused to apply for my repeat prescription from the GP even though this is my designated pharmacy. He told me that they are not obliged to do it and that I should do it myself. Not only did he not seem happy to do his job but his tone and demeanor were outright rude. I asked for a way to complain against this member of staff but was told that he is the owner!!! There is no way for me to verify this but, just saying...
He then in a state of anger came over to me to force me to wear a face mask even though I told him that I am exempt and told me that I cannot stay in the pharmacy without a face mask (presumably, this was not a problem before he heard that I intend to complain about the service and attitude he displayed).
Compare this man's behaviour to what it says on Alphega pharmacy's website: "As a leading European network of independent pharmacies, Alphega Pharmacy prides itself on the role it plays in your local community. Our friendly, professional Pharmacy team takes the time to understand your health and wellbeing needs before offering solutions or advice. And we’ll always explain things in a simple and helpful way."
I will not be using this pharmacy again, goes without saying and do not recommend to others. Such individuals do not have a place in the local community nor on the professional or healthcare scene.

I booked in for a PExpo (londontesting.co.uk) "PCR Fit to Fly Test" ahead of a holiday to Morocco and selected Cootes pharmacy as my location.

After booking, I started to panic as I read lots of bad reviews at PExpo and became so anxious. Some reviews said their results never came and Pexpo was a total scam, others said their results were late and they missed their flights etc.

Our flight was 6:30am Wednesday and the test could be taken no earlier than 48 hours of boarding so we booked for 9am on Monday and selected the next day service.

We arrived at Cootes and took the test - the testing area are based in little rooms at the back of the pharmacy that are clean, bright and the staff member was nice.

The tester told me that the "next day service" meant the results would be sent out between 17:00 and 21:00 on Tuesday - this felt close to the wire as we would be boarding 12 hours later and if they didn't come, it would be the middle of the night and we'd have no way of getting another one done.

Anyway, I am delighted because less than 12 hours after taking the test the results have arrived - even though we did a next day service they came say day at 18:00 hours... 24 hours earlier than they were due.

I am sooo relieved and now know I can look forward to the holiday knowing that I will be able to board the plane!

Thanks PExpo (and Cootes pharmacy!)

TIP: The specimens are collected from the pharmacy at midday (and I think at another point later in the day)... so if you are pushed for time I would recommend getting a pre-midday test slot so you make that midday collection.

My favourite pharmacy in the area. Very helpful, knowledgeable and efficient pharmacists and plenty of friendly staff. You can phone in advance to check prescriptions are ready and a human picks up promptly - no long automated messages or queues. Very user-friendly. Great customer service. Highly recommended.

Lovely customer service at Coates Pharmacy in Finchley. Very helpful and lovely lady Anna, with such a useful and very good advice for health remedies, but also for festive gifts too. Something for everyone and last minute gifts of any kind. There is a huge selection of many things on offers, one can certainly find a bargain.
Thank you Anna for being so helpful and welcoming.

Ripping off be careful about them. The WORST place I have ever been. I knew they sell the over the counter products much more expensive than other pharmacies. I've been near there and thought let's buy eye drop medicine here and go somewhere else and compare them and after that refund it. My guess was right the difference was too far in one product £7 and another one £8 so I came back to refund these products. The lady told they don't refund due to covid and it is written in the receipt after purchase. Totally misleading, as I know this trick has been revealed so many years ago as per England so many case law, they should have put a readable sign on the counter that product in here is not refundable. Otherwise I would never get ripped off. I wish someone could control over these places so that clients like me would have never been treated like that.

Fab experience and the best since I've moved to London with my family and started a business here, the staff are super quick, friendly and respectful. Every time me or my family members visited this branch, not only the prescriptions were ready on time, but superb instruction was given, they have international staff who helps a wide range of people with their native languages which you probably could not find elsewhere. I appreciate your hard work during Covid time and cannot recommend this pharmacy enough.

I have been using this pharmacy for 3 years now .It is well laid out , spacious and very well stocked with both the general medium priced and the slightly higher quality brands.
The skin care section is of particular note as it has a full range of my favourites, Bioderma and La Roche .
One staff member who is outstanding in her advice and recommendations is a particularly gorgeous Iranian lady who has helped me oodles of times .
I have been in pharmacies in Spain France , Ireland and Germany and this one is the best of all . So thank you and keep up the good work .

AVOID… Not impressed with the service here at all. When attending the Pharmacy today, the lady behind the counter was extremely rude and unhelpful. Her customer service is shocking. If you don’t like your job, I suggest you find something else rather than take it out on your customers. I don’t expect to be made to feel uncomfortable for simply asking a question. She did not know what to recommend me and then rolled her eyes at me, whilst huffing and puffing with her nonchalance and obnoxious attitude, all because I simply requested for her to check the medication with the Pharmacist. Highly unacceptable behaviour, which resulted in me walking out. It is not the first time this lady has been rude to me either. I instead went to Pickles Pharmacy to make my purchase and have now transferred my prescriptions to them, because the team there are far more friendly and professional.