I have received quite a few emails recently about local pharmacies being closed at short notice or with long queues outside stores.

The problem has been particularly acute in Budleigh Salterton. I recently met with LloydsPharmacy, who run branches in the town and across East Devon.

I will be honest that the issues raised in the meeting really shocked me. Verbal abuse from customers has been cited as a contributing factor to three managers leaving a store in Budleigh over two months. Sadly, stores haven’t been able to open every day because there’s a national shortage of qualified staff and locum pharmacists and dispensers are not always available to make up the shortfall.

Pharmacies can’t dispense medicines without a pharmacist on site. Recruitment remains a struggle despite the offer of generous hourly rates and bonuses. The government has added pharmacists to the shortage occupation list to help recruitment from elsewhere. Training can take up to five years, depending on the role.

I recognise that many of us will be frustrated when we don’t get the service we expect. But there’s no excuse to verbally abuse staff who are just doing their jobs. LloydsPharmacy assure me they are working hard to recruit new staff and will keep me updated with their progress.

I have also received emails from residents concerned about the continued closure of Exmouth Town Hall and Blackdown House in Honiton. East Devon District Council closed both offices at the start of the pandemic with no firm plans announced to reopen them. It prompted several political groups to work cross-party on an open letter to the council calling for both offices to reopen. Funnily enough, I hear the leader was informed of the letter on Thursday and wasn’t best pleased, as you might possibly be able to tell from his column this week. It prompted a press release on Friday announcing that Exmouth Town Hall will reopen in December.

The time has come to also reopen their offices at Honiton for face-to-face support for visitors who turn up and may need help. It’s what council tax payers expect.