Shopping in Arnside and NHS run around

Monday 6th January 2024.

Yesterday (Monday) I needed to buy a card to send to my great niece on the occasion of her engagement. The snow had gone, the sun shone, so I opted for some exercise. Walking down to the village developed into an idea to photo record all the retail shops and other resident benefits. Little did I realize that I would have a second tour round the village later in the day.

Off I went down Briery Bank and along Black Dyke Road to arrive at the first establishment on my list.

Mobility shop supplying our less mobile residents with those little vehicles that we see dodging about the village. But also they have a comprehensive stock of household and DIY well beyond what one might expect in a village of our size.

Specialist outfit exclusively for preparation of rally cars

A recent change of use. This was previously the Jazz Café catching travelers alighting from the station across the road. Haircutting has moved on since I was a lad.

Arnside fish and chips. The café is seen on the front, outsales up the side.
This is a "destination" for folks from far and wide. They also do home deliveries, but this is now becoming an expensive luxury. A far cry from visits to the local chippy where I lived in Bradford after Cubs and buying a bag  of chips (with scraps) for a few pence.

Phil is a long established ladies hairdresser with strong family connections in the village

Hackney and Leigh estate agents.

Ian Bullough is the proprietor of this convenience store and POST OFFICE. Ian also owns a second convenience store higher up the village that we refer to as The Top Shop.

Ye Old Fighting Cocks pub

For years this was an eccentric junk shop but now converted to a sort of art gallery

An exclusive gallery for the arts in general. The building was renovated to a high standard. I'm not sure how much custom they get - all a bit of a mystery 

A much more down to earth gallery selling mainly paintings from local artists

When I came to Arnside this was combined with a thriving post office but now mostly tacky gifts and ice cream. The post office was transferred to the previously mentioned Londis and Ian Bullough

Not sure what goes on here. It is only manned occasionally.

Good quality gift shop and large range of ice creams. Proprietrors well known to us as friends

Good quality ladies used clothing. Well established

Café. Believe it or not, I have never been in

Pizza restaurant and wine bar. Established a year or so ago. Well patronised.

Another well established gift shop. Good quality. Some good local art as well

The Country Shop. Well established high class ladies and gents clothing. The son of the owners is also employed there and is known as friend of my son, they are all part of a loose knit group of friends in the village. Paul is a keen wind and kite surfer, seen out on the Leven estuary opposite the shop  whenever the opportunity arises; he also sails a yacht based in Scotland.

Pharmacy. Recently changed hands. We all hope it will prosper under new owners

Bakery and café

The Albion pub. Very popular. Also serves food. Good for sitting outside in summer with views over the water

Fairly recently re-opened as a vintage/curio/bric-a-brac shop.

Arnside Women's Institute Venue for a wide variety of uses

Arnside surgery. Now part of group with other surgeries at Milnthorpe and Carnforth. Appointments can be allocated to any of these. That is ok if you have transport and gives the practice more options and versatility for appointment making.

Ian Bullough's Top Shop. Ten minutes walk from my house and very well stocked. A great facility for the village.

Arnside Dental Practice. My son and I  have now found a dentist in Lancaster providing NHS service

That was my trip round the village in the morning. I have missed the excellent Arnside Institute. founded on a wealthy legacy with a number of meeting rooms, and used for many varied activities on a regular basis including a library, all kept at  a high standard of upkeep and a marvelous facility for the village. We also have a fire station and the Beach Café about quarreler of a mile down the shoreline.

On this day I was having a problem with my eye, red and watering. My son had noticed it getting worse over the last few days. I was also concerned because it is the same eye that had a detached retina about nine months ago. 

Lunchtime - I phone the GP for an appointment. 9th in the queue. When it gets down to "you are next" it then defaults back to 8th in the queue. This happens several times. I was on the phone for 30 mins. timed on my iPhone.

I drive to the GP's surgery. The receptionist does say she believes me but insists there is nothing wrong with their system. She looks at my eye and says the practice does not deal with this. There is a special arrangement via NHS for you to see the local optician (Baverstocks in Milnthorpe).

I ring Baverstocks. They say that the NHS arrangement has now changed and I must see a pharmacist first, and if that doesn't work then get my referral back to them

I drive to the pharmacist. Taking into account my medical history, age, etc. and the deteroration, he says I must see a GP and he is referring me back to the practice.

I drive back to the surgery.

After some resistance from reception she informs me I will get a call from the doctor this pm

I get the call for an appointment at the Carnforth surgery for 5:15. Good job I can drive.

I have been in Arnside at this surgery for twenty years with always exemplary service. but I guess they are under more and more pressure these days. Shame.