Blackpool's Winter Gardens and AFC Fylde set to host Covid vaccinations from Monday

Fylde MP Mark Menzies and Fylde Council leader Coun Karen Buckley have both expressed their delight that the ongoing vaccination programme is being extended to the new venues and AFC Fylde owner David Haythornwaite says he is proud for the club to be involved.

Mr Haythornthwaite said that Bradley’s Bar inside the Mill Farm Stadium will be converted for the purpose by Imaan Healthcare, who own the nearby Wesham Pharmacy.

"Following extensive discussions, the facility will be adapted to meet the necessary standards to allow a safe and efficient delivery of the vaccine while critically maintaining social distancing requirements," said Mr Haythornthwaite.

“I got a phone call out of the blue from Saghir Ahmed, Superintendent Pharmacist for Imaan Healthcare. He explained the difficulty he was having trying to get a vaccination hub established at the local community centre in Wesham and could I help?

"We quickly established what was needed, and we proposed Bradley’s Sports Bar. It is a perfect location for the Fylde coast with easy access and lots of parking, so I am absolutely delighted we can help the government and the local community with this vitally important programme.

"It is amazing to think that we will be vaccinating around 400 people a day from next Monday. I believe we are the first football club in the country to cooperate in this fashion and we are all very proud to be part of the program.”

Mr Ahmed said: “We are thrilled to be asked by the NHS to support the mass roll out of the vaccination service for the community.

"Our pharmacists and healthcare teams are looking forward to helping all those in the local communities to be vaccinated and protected against COVID-19 so that we can edge closer to those normalities we cherish in our lives.”

"Working with AFC Fylde has been a fantastic experience as they have great facilities which will make it easier for our healthcare teams to provide the service, and for visiting patients when they receive their vaccination.”

Coun Karen Buckley, leader of Fylde Council, said: “We are working together with the NHS and other partners to maximise our joint resources and accelerate the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccines. The sooner we can vaccinate as many people as possible against this debilitating virus the sooner we can look forward to a return to normal life.

“Next week we have the mass vaccination centre at Blackpool Winter Gardens opening up and a further hub at AFC Fylde in Wesham.

"These are in addition to Lytham Primary Care Centre and other GP centres already offering the vaccines to Fylde residents."

Mr Menzies said: “On Monday, the area’s major vaccination centre will also open at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.

“The dedicated people running the vaccine scheme are working so hard for us all."

To book your vaccination, visit: www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination. If you cannot use the NHS website, phone 119 free of charge

Members of the public must not attend the stadium unless they have been contacted by the NHS.

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