Lloydspharmacy is “in the process of closing” its branch in Sainsbury’s on Union Street, Oldham, and in Sainsbury’s on Highgrounds Road, Worksop, the multiple confirmed to C+D on Tuesday (January 2).

Parent company Celesio UK bought all 281 of Sainsbury’s pharmacies for £125 million in 2015, with the handover completed in September 2016.

In October 2017, Celesio UK announced it will cease trading in 190 “commercially unviable” branches across England. Worksop and Oldham are the first Sainsbury’s branches that the multiple has confirmed to C+D are affected by the decision.

The latest confirmation of closures brings the total number of affected Lloydspharmacy locations which C+D can identify to 23 (see map below). The multiple would not confirm the location of the remaining 167 branches.

Lloydspharmacy said it is “an ongoing process, therefore it’s too early to give any further details” on whether any of its other Sainsbury’s branches will be affected.

“We are keen to ensure that the local community and our impacted colleagues are treated with respect and courtesy throughout this time,” the multiple added.

Closure “within six months”

A pharmacy employee at the Oldham branch – who wished to remain anonymous – told C+D the staff have not been given a “definite date yet”, but they understand the Lloydsharmacy will close “within six months”.

They are confident that “all will be taken care of” and staff will be found employment elsewhere.

A pharmacy employee at the Worksop branch – who also wished to remain anonymous – confirmed that staff will be going through consultation in the lead-up to the store’s closure.

A Lloydspharmacy employee, who works in another Sainsbury’s branch and asked to remain anonymous, said it is a “horrendously worrying time” for Sainsbury’s colleagues.

A “vast amount of [Lloydspharmacy staff] are facing redundancy”, they added. “From what we can gather, nobody is safe.”

Where else will Lloydspharmacy cease trading?

You can use C+D's map to view the location of each of the 23 locations – including the Sainsbury's stores – where Lloydspharmacy has so far confirmed that it will cease trading. Branches confirmed for closure are marked in purple, while those Lloydspharmacy is still hoping to sell are marked in blue.

This map is live, and will be updated as C+D confirms the locations of further affected Lloydspharmacy branches.