A pharmacy has expanded to a massive 11,000 square feet and extended the range of goods on offer.

People’s Pharmacy, which opened on Victoria Street more than 30 years ago with just 900 square feet, has taken over a former furniture store on Church Street.

And owners Donna Pearman and daughter Tamara Richardson, who employ 35 full-time and six part-time staff, have knocked through the wall to connect the two shops, doubling the sales space and creating one of the largest single floor stores on the Island.

Company president Ms Pearman said the new acquisition meant the firm could offer a massively expanded baby and toy department called Little People’s.

Ms Richardson, the vice-president in charge of sales and operations, said: “We are going to make a toy and kid-friendly space, plus a play area and checkout space.

“We want to create an environment that carries on that shopping experience we want with both of our brands.

“Our baby business has grown over the years and It was important to us for mothers to come into the space and touch and feel products before they buy them.

“Right now, we have a bit of a warehouse feel as we transition into the store. We do have a final plan laid out for how we want it to look.

“It will be a lot more open with a play area where people can feel comfortable leaving their children while they shop.

“So far, people are extremely happy that everything is in one place.”

And she added that baby cribs — often ordered from overseas — would become a display feature of the new baby and toy department, while a partnership with another Bermuda firm would allow the company to add wheelchairs to its inventory.

The pair also plan to move departments in the store to new locations to offer more display place and a wider range of products.

Ms Richardson said: “We already have one of the largest ranges of products for ethnic hair on the Island.

“We’re going to arrange things so customers can try the products before buying. One of the things we like to do is to for customers to be treated the way I’d like to be treated myself.”

And she added it was hoped to introduce a nail bar before Christmans next year.

Ms Pearman, a trained pharmacist, said the store would also introduce wider aisles so parents with strollers and wheelchair users could more easily navigate their way around the pharmacy.

The extra space has also allowed the company to set up a seasonal space — at present packed with Hallowe’en costumes and accessories, but which will be turned into the Christmas section next month.

The front of the store on Victoria Street now features a gift area, as well as a huge selection of teas.

Ms Richardson said: “We work hard to try and make sure we have what our customers want.

“Tea is a big thing for us — it’s part of our British heritage and also tea is an important part of maintaining health, so we have organic and free trade teas as well ones with health benefits.”

She added that the current snack counter would also be expanded to offer healthier options like smoothies and juices.

Ms Richardson said: “Our aim is to create healthy alternatives for snack foods. The final phase will be to totally modernise the area and make it totally healthy.”

She added: “A new website will be launched in the run-up to Christmas. The idea is our website will be the ultimate customer information tool where we will be able to show people how to do things like do-it-yourself skin and hair care products and health information.”

And the store’s five pharmacists are being trained in alternative and complementary medicine so they can better advise customers.

Ms Richardson said: “Our society can’t afford to get any sicker — we all need to do what we can to make our lives healthier.”