Vancouver London Drugs locations could close over safety concerns

The London Drugs on Granville Street. (Daily Hive)

After rumours sparked online that a significant London Drugs location might close due to crime, the retail and pharmacy chain said that isn’t exactly the case.

According to ABC councillor Peter Meiszner, the London Drugs location on Granville Street was at risk of closure.

I am extremely concerned to learn that London Drugs is considering closing its downtown store at Granville and Georgia due to rampant shoplifting – a store I rely on regularly. We cannot allow shoplifting to become normalized in our city – it hurts businesses, employees and… pic.twitter.com/OXRh70q1JY

— Peter Meiszner 裴智勵/裴智励 (@PeterMeiszner) October 17, 2023

Last month, we heard from Tony Hunt, the general manager for loss and prevention at London Drugs, who told Daily Hive Urbanized that the Granville location deals with seven security incidents daily.

“More concerning is the rise in violent verbal, physical threats of violence and harm to employees,” Hunt added.

However, London Drugs President Clint Mahlman had other information to share with Daily Hive Urbanized, which refuted Meiszner’s post.

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Mahlman told Daily Hive Urbanized that while a shift in operations at different locations is being considered, the Granville location is not on the chopping block, and whatever changes may take place at other sites wouldn’t come into effect for a couple of years.

Among the rumours, we have heard the Woodwards location in Gastown is the one that could be impacted, but Mahlman would not confirm, claiming it hasn’t yet been decided.

He referenced how downtowns across North America are dealing with crime, suggesting that while it would be a last resort, closing locations in Vancouver is not out of the question.

“We are having to face the reality of closing some stores,” he said.

“Not just because of financial losses, but more importantly, because we want our employees to feel safe coming to work.”

Another issue many businesses are dealing with is repeat offenders, which has played a role in shoplifting crime.

“We cannot allow shoplifting to become normalized in our city – it hurts businesses, employees and communities,” Meiszner said.

“Unfortunately once a case enters the court system, the VPD have limited control on if a suspect is charged or convicted.”

Some have called out Meiszner’s post.

What do you think are the core reasons for why someone might consider shoplifting, in the first place? Is it really because there’s not enough cops/law enforcement? Or are people’s basic needs perhaps not being met in pretty fundamental ways

— Doug Craig (@dougcraig3) October 17, 2023

Others have suggested that this problem isn’t new.

Are u just waking up to this Peter? It’s everywhere! DT businesses are vacating premises due to shop lifting, break ins, on one side and insane rents, property taxes, safety concerns on the other…

— vanthusiast😏 (@vanthusiast123) October 17, 2023

Mahlman also said that the work of the police has been encouraging.

“I have to say the police, wherever we are in the province or anywhere in Canada, they’re tremendously supportive.”

With files from Beth Rochester and Arash Randjbar

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