Plans have been lodged for a six-figure redevelopment of a pharmacy – with the revamp including a huge robotic dispenser.

Phil Jobson, owner of Jobsons Pharmacy, in Front Street, Brampton, wants to invest in the business in order to cope with current and changing demands.

He said improvements are “crucial” in meeting the health needs of the community.

He plans to make alterations to the ground floor to make way for a new automated dispenser, which is thought to be the first of its kind in and around Carlisle.

The new technology will offer help to staff who are increasingly providing advice and support to patients.

Its speedy functions are also due to make the service more efficient.

Since Mr Jobson bought the chemist in 2004 the number of items prescribed have soared.

“It will be no surprise to anybody that the prescription numbers have increased because it is well publicised in the media, the pressure on the NHS,” he said.

“The profession of pharmacy is changing in as much as pharmacists are now becoming far more involved in providing services that are reliant upon their intellectual knowledge and helping patients on a face-to-face basis.

“Gone are the days when a pharmacist went in the back and put some tablets in a bottle.”

Mr Jobson said community pharmacy practice has changed “dramatically” in the last five to 10 years, with the skills of pharmacists and technicians geared towards services including health checks, stop smoking advice and flu jabs.

But the supply of medicines remains a pivotal role.

Due to the increase in the number of items and other pharmacy services it has become more important to do this efficiently.

Making his case in documents supporting the plans Mr Jobson said: “It is absolutely crucial to the health needs of an increasingly elderly population in the town, that the pharmacy is helped towards this improved efficiency.”

Given planning approval, Mr Jobson hopes the new automated dispenser will be commissioned towards the later half of the summer so staff can be up and running on the machine by the end of August.

He researched the technology and visited a number of sites around the country using different robots.

Not only does the robot allow staff to spend more time with patients, its clever system also proves to be a great space saver, in terms of the way its stores medicines.

It can dispense the required medication in a matter of seconds.

Mr Jobson said the “substantial investment” was an investment in the town and showed confidence in it.

He said the centre of Brampton will continue to be a busy centre and a vibrant commercial hub.

He added: “It’s important that in a small town that both the health care and the commercial centre are kept in the centre of the town.”

The plans also include the change of use of the first floor and reinstatement of a second floor to provide two flats.

An external staircase to the flat and a veranda are also included.

An old wall and floor would need to be removed to accommodate the dispensing robot, which is three metres tall and five metres long.

Work will also include improvements to areas at the back of the Grade II listed building, which have become derelict and dilapidated.

The building, which was contructed in 1883 and joins the former HSBC bank, lies within the town’s conservation area.

Plans say the scheme has the potential to affect the character and appearance of a building of architectural and historic interest.

A garage at the back of the building was once a two story cottage, thought to date back to the 18th century, and Mr Jobson is keen to restore as many of the original features as possible.