Geordie
I started out working for a small chain of independents, with just 8 shops. It was miles better then working for a large company. The managing director of the company knew everyone's name. We all had cleaners, enough staff, and all the store managers had a company car!
Over especially the last year or so I have seen morale drop a lot at work. I don't think it's just in pharmacy, but across all jobs. Most people I know seem to work longer hours, feel overworked, and the number of people going sick through stress is amazing. These are people who a few years ago never mentioned the word stress, now it's making them ill.
I have also been working at a store that has just been taken over by a large company. The owner of the store put the staff's wages up before he left, as to keep them well paid. The result is that they have now had all their hours cut.
So my opinion is independent - if you can still find one that is!
When it comes to salary, in a lot of ways you negotiate your own, so get enough experience then you will be in demand.
