Lloyds pharmacy is to open a pilot ‘health village’ on a retail park in north London at the end of August as part of its plan to evolve into an all-round healthcare provider.

The Health Village from Lloydspharmacy will open at Brent South Shopping Park and provide services including an opticians, chiropodist, physiotherapist, audiologist, and medical and beauty skincare clinics.

The services will sit alongside its traditional retail offer including medical electrical healthcare, premium skincare, fragrances, hair care and a baby care product range.

The pharmacist said that the pilot is part of its broader push to adapt to meet changing health needs and to change pharmacy from being perceived as a simple dispenser of medicines and advice to a comprehensive healthcare provider.

The retailer claims to have been the the first pharmacy chain to offer healthcare services nationally to support preventive measures such as blood pressure testing and diabetes screening.

The health village represents a development of that approach and Lloydspharmacy will team up with partner businesses to offer the range of health and wellbeing services under one roof.

Lloydspharmacy managing director Tony Page described the the health village as “a new direction for Lloydspharmacy”.  He said: “It’s an approach we are testing in response to the changing healthcare environment, the changing pharmacy environment and changing needs of our customers. 

“We recognise that the public are no longer passive about their health – they want to proactively manage their wellbeing which, as well as treatment, is about avoiding illness, feeling well and also for many, looking good.”

Lloydspharmacy will garner customer feedback on the village and its products and services before any potential roll out.

Page said: “Lloydspharmacy has for a long time now been active in educating people about self care; helping them to manage their health through the services, products and advice we provide.”

Property agent Morgan Williams acted for landlords Hammerson and Standard Life.