Monday September 7th 2026
Artists impression of Dunbar pharmacy with new precription dispenser (photo from East Lothian Council planning portal)
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Marie Sharp
An East Lothian chemist has been give the go ahead to put a self service dispenser in the window of its historic building after it was compared to putting an ATM in a bank.
The proposals by Romanes Pharmacy for their High Street shop in Dunbar will mean customers can collect prescriptions at any time during the day and night from lock boxes installed in the dispenser.
Dunbar Community Council welcomed the proposals saying it will be useful for customers and not impact on the building itself.
The High Street pharmacy sits in a Category C-listed building which dates back to the late 18th century with its shop front and building character protected, however planners said the new dispenser will be in the glass window and will not affect the building itself.
The applicants also pointed to other modern shops on the ‘parade’ along the street which operated within the traditional buildings.
They said: “The parade and the adjoining main road has several commercial units with late opening, which includes; pubs and restaurants, beauty salons and hairdressers, a bookies and coffee bars.
“Morrisons located to the right of the pharmacy has late night opening and an ATM machine installed to the shopfront, which will have a similar footprint and concept to the Medpoint machine with both having 24 access.”
Giving planning and Listed Building Consent to the pharmacy through two separate applications for the changes, planners said: “The proposed pharmacy dispenser unit would not impact on the existing listed building features including the traditional concrete stall risers and decorative pilasters.
“It would be seen in relation to an ATM machine installed within a neighbouring property which is of similar size and style and as such would not appear as an alien or incongruous addition to its High Street location.
“The installation of the pharmacy dispenser unit would ensure the preservation of part of the clear glazed opening and would be edged with a timber frame in order to preserve the character and appearance of the of the frontage of the building.
“Therefore, the installation of a pharmacy dispenser unit would not be harmful to the special architectural or historic interest of the listed building and or be harmful to the character and appearance of the Conservation Area.”
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