In a surprise move the nationwide (UK) high street pharmacist Boots Plc. has decided to pull the plug on its online photo finishing business bootsphoto.com. Boots are blaminig low demand for the service which was launched just 12 months ago. Bootsphoto are currently sending emails out to previous users warning them of a gradual decrease in service availability.

Phil's comment: My experience of bootsphoto.com was hot / cold, I had a couple of rolls developed and uploaded as digital images, however their web interface left a lot to be desired (certainly compared to similar state-side sites. It was also not possible to download JPEG images or view them at any reasonable resolution.

News article from thisislondon.co.uk:

Shutter falls on Boots web photo unit

PHARMACY chain Boots is pulling the plug on its online photo business, warning that the ill-fated venture would blow a hole of more than £17m in its profits. Boots blamed disappointing demand for the bootsphoto.com service, launched 12 months ago.

The business was expected to make an operating loss of £7.3m for the first six months. Its closure would trigger a £10m charge, mainly relating to terminating contracts, to be taken as a one-off cost in the group's half-year figures.

The division enabled customers to post photos on a website from film or digital cameras, in order to e-mail snaps and order prints. From the end of next month it will just offer hints on photography and details of other services.